It is something K9 Medical Detection staff will build on at their Mosgiel base over the next few years as they train the 9-week-old German shepherd to become the first dog in the country to sniff out ovarian cancer.
K9MD founder and chief executive officer Pauline Blomfield said one woman died from ovarian cancer in New Zealand every 48 hours, and most women were unaware of the symptoms until it was too late.
As there is no screening or surveillance for this cancer, it was hoped Hunter would be the dog that would make a difference.
"The statistics for ovarian cancer in New Zealand are both heartbreaking and unacceptable.
"With K9MD's vision to create a simple diagnostic urine test for early cancer detection, and with the incredible sensory ability of our highly trained dogs, we hope to substantially reduce these terrible statistics."
She said ovarian cancer symptoms were vague and could be commonly confused with other conditions.
"Social culture can also overlook symptoms due to age and weight gain.
"As a result, ovarian cancer is hard to recognise and, with no screening, more challenging to detect until the later stages of cancer."
Risk factors for ovarian cancer include a family history of ovarian cancer; having a family cancer syndrome linked to breast, bowel, prostate and pancreatic cancer; a personal history of breast cancer. The disease is slightly more common in Maori and Pacific peoples.
