'Pigeon Vision' - Our NEXT Cancer Detector?

[Arthur Little]

Spec(k)ulation?

http://www.edition.cnn.com/2015/11/1...ncer-detectors ... it is an interesting concept, though!

[Doc Alan]

Pigeons homing in on cancer is indeed an interesting concept. It would, however, be a flight of fancy for patients and doctors to trust any bird-brained scheme to pigeon-hole cancer ! Presumably the " pigeon fancier " owning the birds would be sued if the diagnosis was wrong.


If only cancer was one disease which could be diagnosed with 100% accuracy, there would be hope for effective treatment and cure. But we know there are over 200 different cancer types, and several main types of breast cancer - each of which requiring treatment tailored to the individual patient.


Of course visual skills are important, among others, for doctors and scientists interpreting tests for cancer. Pigeons do have excellent visual skills and memory - especially with " food reinforcement " ( they only got food when they chose correctly ! ). The images they were given were either of stained microscopic sections or mammogram ( X ray ) images - obviously pre-selected by specialist doctors.


It’s unlikely these days for an entire cancer to be removed for microscopic assessment, let alone making the initial diagnosis, before a clinical diagnosis is made on examination of the patient ; images such as mammograms and ultrasound made ; and samples ( biopsies ) taken, which may include cells or a small " core " of tissue suitably stained and examined by a medical pathologist. The cancer type, grade ( how actively the cells are dividing ), and genetic profile are determined so the best treatment can be given. Every cancer patient is discussed in " multidisciplinary team meetings " of surgeons, other doctors, medical scientists, and nurses.


The outlook for the majority of breast cancer patients is now very good, especially ( as with other cancers ) if diagnosed early. But it’s such a common cancer ( both in UK and Philippines ) that probably all of us are aware of at least one person who has had this diagnosis made - it even occurs, rarely, in males.


The topic is too serious, in my opinion, for such studies to provide anything more than a distraction - of interest, but no practical value to the one in two of us who may expect to have some form of cancer diagnosis over our lifetime.

[grahamw48]

Not wishing to just swan in and duck the original issue, but it sounds like a right bit of quackery to me.

[Arthur Little]

Not wishing to just swan in and duck the original issue, but it sounds like a right bit of quackery to me.

Now, if you were a woman, Graham ... my response would be, "Aye, you're probably right there, hen"!

[Arthur Little]

Now, if you were a woman, Graham ... my response would be, "Aye, you're probably right there, hen"!

................................................. ... 's always assuming, of course, I didn't "chicken~out" first.

[grahamw48]

I might just give you the bird Arthur... you goose.

[Arthur Little]

I might just give you the bird Arthur... you goose.

Haha, yes ... I've just had a gander at your reply, and deemed it best to swallow my pride.

[grahamw48]

Well if you offer a leg I'm always happy to pullet Arthur.

[Arthur Little]

Well if you offer a leg I'm always happy to pullet Arthur.

Ah, toucan play at that game. After all ... ... what's th'rush?

[Arthur Little]

Ah, toucan play at that game. After all ... ... what's th'rush?

Besides ... ... it's only a lark!

[Doc Alan]

I dread to think how much money donated for cancer research was spent on this study - those involved probably thought it was chicken feed .