Doggie breath of a different kind

Another interesting study from armyofwomen.org - can doggies detect cancer?

Is it possible that there are molecules in your exhaled breath that indicate that you have ovarian cancer? A group of researchers in Marin County, California think the answer may be yes. They also believe that these molecules can be detected by dogs that have been professionally trained to identify them.

Why is this study important to us? Because, as many of you know, women who carry the gene for breast cancer have a higher risk of developing ovarian cancer! And women with ovarian cancer have a higher chance of carrying the breast cancer gene! But most of all because there is no good screening test for ovarian cancer which is often diagnosed too late.

Don't live near Marin County? Please pass this e-blast along to friends, family members, and any other women you know who do! Let's get this study filled!

Remember, if you aren't able to sign up for this study or if you haven't been able to sign up for a study so far, we still need you to hang in there. Many more studies are on the way and, eventually, everyone will be able to participate!

What's the study about?

The research team is using specially trained dogs and a chemical test to analyze breath samples for substances called biomarkers that may be useful in diagnosing ovarian cancer. This type of research has been done before with breast and lung cancer.

What's involved?

If you agree to participate in the Early Detection of Epithelial Ovarian Cancer Using Exhaled Breath Markers study, you will be asked to go to the Pine Street Foundation in San Anselmo, California, to breathe through a plastic tube for 30 to 60 minutes. You will also be asked to fill out a short questionnaire about your health history. You may be asked to return to the Pine Street Foundation to provide another breath sample up to three more times over the next two years.

The breath samples you provide will be analyzed two ways: by chemical analysis in a laboratory at the University of Maine and by dogs being trained to detect cancer at the Pine Street Foundation in San Anselmo, Calif. (You will not have direct contact with the dogs unless you specifically request to meet them.) Your breath samples will be coded with an anonymous record number and you will not receive the results after the samples are analyzed.

The study is expected to last two years. The researchers may contact you again if the study continues longer.

The researchers need to enroll up to 30 women in this study: 15 with ovarian cancer and 15 with endometriosis or polycystic ovarian syndrome.

Who is conducting the study?

Touradj Solouki, PhD, at the University of Maine, and Michael McCulloch, PhD, at the Pine Street Foundation, San Anselmo, California

Where?

Pine Street Foundation, San Anselmo, California

Who can participate?

You can join the Early Detection of Epithelial Ovarian Cancer Using Exhaled Breath Markers study if you match ALL of the criteria in ONE of these TWO categories

Category 1. You are:

• A woman with a diagnosis of endometriosis OR polycystic ovarian syndrome

AND

• Age 21 or over

AND

• A non-smoker

AND

• Have no prior diagnosis of ovarian cancer, breast cancer (including DCIS), fallopian tube cancer, or primary papillary serous carcinoma of the peritoneum

AND

• Have tested negative for the BRCA mutation (if known) OR have no first- or second-degree relatives who have a BRCA mutation (if known). If you have never been tested for BRCA, you can still participate in the study

AND

• You live near Marin County, California (or are willing to travel there at your own expense)

OR

Category 2. You are:

• Seeing a doctor because you have a newly diagnosed or recurrent ovarian, fallopian tube, or primary peritoneal cavity cancer AND have not begun treatment

AND

• Age 21 or over

AND

• A non-smoker

AND

• You live near Marin County, California (or are willing to travel there at your own expense)

After you RSVP, the researcher will ask you additional questions to be sure that this study is a good fit for you.