Using trained dogs to detect cancer from breath samples

A Double-Blind Observational Study to Evaluate the Ability of Trained Detection Dogs to Detect Cancer in Breath Samples: The Rainbow Study

Observational SpotitEarly · NCT06255041

This study tests if specially trained dogs can sniff out breast, lung, prostate, or colorectal cancer from breath samples taken from people getting screened for cancer.

Quick facts

Study typeObservational
Enrollment1250 (estimated)
Ages18 Years and up
SexAll
SponsorSpotitEarly Industry-sponsored
Drugs / interventionschemotherapy
Locations2 sites (Haifa and 1 other locations)
Trial IDNCT06255041 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This study aims to demonstrate that trained detection dogs can identify breast, lung, prostate, or colorectal cancer by sniffing breath samples collected in surgical masks. Participants who are scheduled for cancer screening or biopsy will provide breath samples, which will be analyzed by the dogs to determine the presence of cancer. The accuracy of the dogs' detection will be compared to the actual cancer screening or biopsy results to evaluate their effectiveness in cancer detection.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are men and women aged 18 and over who are scheduled for cancer screening tests.

Not a fit: Patients who have been diagnosed with cancer or treated for cancer in the past seven years will not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could provide a non-invasive and innovative method for early cancer detection.

How similar studies have performed: While the use of detection dogs for cancer screening is a novel approach, similar studies have shown promising results in other contexts.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

1. Men and women aged 18 and over.
2. Signing an informed consent prior to performing the test.
3. Intended to undergo screening tests for cancer detection.
4. Did not smoke 2 hours before providing the breath sample
5. Did not drink coffee in the hour before providing the breath sample
6. Did not drink an alcoholic beverage in the hour prior to providing the breath sample.
7. Did not eat food in the hour before providing the breath sample.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Was diagnosed with cancer or was treated for cancer in the seven years preceding the study, excluding non-metastatic skin tumors that were surgically removed.
2. Undergoing chemotherapy for any purpose.
3. Pregnant or breastfeeding
4. Had a medical procedure in the chest cavity and/or airways in the two weeks prior to providing the breath sample that may interfere with the ability to correctly provide a breath sample.
5. Has a Helicobacter pylori infection.
6. Has a peptic ulcer disease.
7. Has a flare-up of an inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn's disease/ulcerative colitis).
8. has an active infection, such as COVID-19, abscess, bacterial/viral/fungal infection, pneumonia, laryngitis, intestinal inflammation, active tuberculosis infection.

Where this trial is running

Haifa and 1 other locations

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions Breast CancerColorectal CancerPROSTATE CANCERLung CancerBreath SampleDetection DogsCancer Screening
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.