How a Dog’s Intuition Helped Detect a Woman’s Breast Cancer Early

How a Dog’s Intuition Helped Detect a Woman’s Breast Cancer Early

Breanna Bortner, a resident of Minnesota, believes her dog played a crucial role in saving her life. The 31-year-old recalls the moment she discovered a lump in her breast in 2023, an alarming experience that unfolded just weeks prior to her diagnosis of breast cancer.

Bortner shared her thoughts during an interview with Fox News Digital, stating, “I had always heard stories where people, you know, say that their dogs could sense things.” This instinct, she argues, proved to be true in her situation.

The Start of a Journey

As Bortner awaited the results of her biopsy, a surprising behavior from her cockapoo, Mochi, emerged. Over the span of six weeks, Mochi became fixated on the area of Bortner’s breast that harbored the lump. This unusual attentiveness caught Bortner off guard.

“Even when I had been sick in the past or dealt with other things, he had never done that, so that was the first time that I really noticed how in tune he was to my body,” she remarked.

Receiving the Diagnosis

When the biopsy results arrived, Bortner was shocked to learn that she had stage 2B triple-negative invasive ductal carcinoma, a more aggressive form of breast cancer that limits treatment options. However, she trusted her instincts and felt deep down that Mochi had sensed her illness before the doctors confirmed it.

“I was like, oh my gosh, he’s known this whole time. Before I knew and the doctors knew,” she explained.

Understanding the Medical Background

According to the American Cancer Society, triple-negative breast cancer lacks certain receptors, making it less responsive to common hormone therapies. If the cancer is localized and has not spread, surgery is a possible course of action. Often, chemotherapy is used first to shrink a tumor, which is precisely what Bortner faced next.

After receiving her diagnosis, she began an intense treatment regimen, which included more than five months of chemotherapy, consisting of 16 treatment rounds. For Bortner, the term “chemotherapy” was daunting.

“Everything about [chemotherapy drugs] is scary. I found that calling them ‘healing sessions’ instead was better for me,” she noted.

A Source of Comfort

Mochi, whom Bortner affectionately refers to as her “soul dog,” provided invaluable support throughout her treatment. The bond they shared helped her find strength during her darkest days.

“At the time, he was only 2 years old,” Bortner recounted. “And I was like, ‘I cannot leave this earth before you do.’ Like, no way. ‘I should be the one burying you. You shouldn’t be the one having to lose your human mom.’”

Everyday Tasks Helped

Despite enduring difficult days, Bortner recognized that even mundane tasks like feeding her dog or taking him for a walk offered her motivation to rise from the couch and persevere.

During her recovery, Mochi adapted to Bortner’s changing lifestyle, with their walks becoming slower and shorter. Whenever Bortner felt unwell or wept, Mochi was instinctively there by her side.

Unconditional Love

In moments when Bortner left home for multiple appointments, Mochi displayed a worrying behavior. He would search through the trash, looking for bits of his owner’s hair that fell out during chemotherapy treatment.

“He would dig out my hair to smell me,” Bortner shared. This poignant act only deepened the bond between the two.

Now, almost a year post-treatment, Mochi still rummages through the trash, retaining the habit of searching for his owner’s scent.

Supporting Others

Today, Bortner channels her experience into supporting others battling similar health challenges. She has turned to mentoring, offering knowledge and insights about what to expect during cancer treatment.

“It just brings a smile to my face when things come full circle — and now I’m on the other end, mentoring people through their cancer journeys,” she said, highlighting the profound impact of her battle.

The Science Behind Dogs’ Abilities

Dr. Marc Siegel, a clinical professor at NYU Langone Health and a medical analyst for Fox News, affirmed the theory behind Mochi’s behavior. He noted the remarkable ability of dogs to detect diseases through their acute sense of smell.

“There is evidence in the medical literature that they can in fact smell the abnormal cancer proteins,” Dr. Siegel stated.

Moreover, technological advances are exploring this canine aptitude; artificial canine noses have been engineered based on these capabilities, and research involving artificial intelligence is enhancing this potential.

Enduring Findings

Dr. Pashtoon Kasi, a medical director at City of Hope in California, expressed that the idea of dogs detecting cancerous molecules does not come as a surprise. He explained how biological fluids—such as blood and urine—can reveal crucial information about a person’s health.

“It has been demonstrated that dogs, and potentially other animals, are likely able to detect some of the odors associated with certain chemicals linked to cancer,” he said, underscoring the legitimacy of Bortner’s experience.

With research continuing to unveil the depths of dogs’ sensing abilities, Bortner’s poignant story stands as a testament to the profound bond between humans and their canine companions, a connection that can lead to miraculous outcomes in the face of adversity.