Answer Summary

Members shared deeply personal experiences about whether cancer has a detectable odor, with several describing a distinct smell they... Read more

Members shared deeply personal experiences about whether cancer has a detectable odor, with several describing a distinct smell they encountered while caring for loved ones in hospice or working in cancer wards, while others recalled no odor at all during their family members' final days. Many members mentioned that dogs can be trained to detect cancer through scent, with one member sharing that their service dog correctly alerted to cancer over 70% of the time, and another explaining that cancer produces volatile organic compounds that animals can sense even when humans cannot. A recurring theme was offering comfort and perspective to the original poster, encouraging them not to worry about their family history but instead focus on healthy habits, living fully in the present, and addressing concerns only if they arise.