Tel Aviv, Israel –: Israeli researchers are pioneering a revolutionary method to detect cancer in its earliest stages using a combination of trained dogs and artificial intelligence. Assuta Medical Centers announced on Wednesday that the innovative approach is being developed in partnership with Tel Aviv-based startup SpotitEarly.
The technique uses specially trained beagles, guided by AI systems, to sniff out cancer before any symptoms appear. In trials conducted at Assuta’s Ramat HaHayal Hospital in Tel Aviv, the dogs achieved a remarkable 94% accuracy rate in identifying four of the most common cancers.
“This is a tool with the potential to save lives,” said Gidi Leshetz, CEO of Assuta Medical Centers, whose innovation arm, RISE, is running the study. “It is non-invasive, simple, and, most importantly, has the power to create real change for patients. Early detection has been proven to save lives.”
Traditional cancer diagnoses often occur at later stages, when treatment becomes less effective. The SpotitEarly method offers a painless and cost-effective alternative. Patients breathe into a face mask for three minutes, after which the mask is sent to a lab. There, trained beagles smell the samples under the supervision of an AI system. Each sample is analyzed multiple times—between three to five times—to ensure reliability.
Over 1,400 individuals, primarily aged 40 to 70, have already participated in the study. Currently, the dogs are trained to detect lung, breast, prostate, and colorectal cancers, which together account for nearly half of all global cancer diagnoses. The company plans to extend detection capabilities to other types of cancer.
“This is a breakthrough that enhances our ability to detect malignancies early, when the chances of successful treatment are greatest,” said Prof. Meirav Ben-David, head of the Oncology Institute at Assuta. “Because the test is non-invasive and painless, it can be performed frequently and tailored to an individual’s personal risk factors.”
SpotitEarly holds a U.S. patent for this technology and has raised over $8 million in funding, with support from the Menomadin Foundation and Hanko Ventures.
“We are proud and excited about our collaboration with Assuta,” said Ariel Ben Dayan, co-founder of SpotitEarly. “SpotitEarly was founded on the understanding that early cancer detection can save many lives, and combining cutting-edge technology with natural capabilities developed over millions of years is the most effective approach to solving this challenge.”
Merav Galili, CEO of the Menomadin Foundation, echoed the potential global impact of this approach. “SpotitEarly’s unique development may lead to a global breakthrough in the early detection of the most common types of cancer,” she said. “We’ve been working with the company from its earliest stages, driven by the mission to improve and strengthen the field of early detection–a mission that can save millions of lives.”
This method offers a scalable solution for routine screenings, especially for people at higher risk of cancer. Unlike invasive methods such as colonoscopies or biopsies, this approach is simple and accessible—even in areas with limited healthcare infrastructure. Combined with traditional imaging and blood tests, it may help reduce false results and guide doctors on when further testing is truly needed.