BioScent K9 Launches Program Using Canines to Provide Free Breast Cancer Screening for the Less Fortunate on SniffingOutCancer.org

MYAKKA CITY, Fla., July 17, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- BioScent K9, a Florida not-for-profit, announced today the launch of a program that will leverage specially-trained dogs to provide free breast cancer screening for women in need. 

With one in eight women in the U.S. expected to develop breast cancer in their lifetime, new cases this year expected to top 250,000 and deaths expected to top 40,000, breast cancer remains a major health threat to women.  Worse yet, with nearly 50% of the women living below the poverty line having not undergone a mammogram in the last two years, the burden of breast cancer is shifting to the poor. 

Previous efforts leveraging canines to detect cancer have yielded accuracy rates of up to 99% (Taverna et al, Journal of Urology 2014) and have identified cancer up to 18 months earlier than traditional testing (McCullough et al., Diagnostic Accuracy of Canine Scent Detection in early- and late-stage lung and breast cancers, 2006).

"Our efforts to help bring these capabilities mainstream have moved very rapidly since we began in 2014.  We have trained nine dogs on cancer scent detection with amazing results," said Heather Junqueira, President of BioScent K9. "With today's announcement of our free breast cancer screening program, we are significantly closer to ensuring all women have access to affordable and non-invasive breast cancer screening."

Women living below 250% of the federal poverty level with a personal or family history of breast cancer qualify.  Those interested in participating in the program can apply at sniffingoutcancer.org.  Applications will be filled based on need and availability of funding.  Selected participants will donate samples of their breath and saliva.  Their samples will be presented to specially-trained dogs for screening. 

People interested in supporting the program and further research efforts can visit sniffingoutcancer.org/how-to-help to learn more.  Giving opportunities include raising puppies, sponsoring dogs, and gifting breast cancer screening.

About BioScent K9:

BioScent K9 is a Florida 501(c)(3) not-for-profit focused on leveraging canine scent detection to make affordable, non-invasive, highly accurate screening available for cancer and other life-threatening diseases. Through supporting research and funding testing, BioScent K9's aims to equip people inflicted with disease an early detection method that will help them eradicate the disease. For more information, visit www.sniffingoutcancer.org.

Media Contact:
Heather Junqueira
[email protected] 
Myakka City, FL
941-219-3527

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SOURCE BioScent K9, Inc.