Ants detect scent of cancer in urine – research

The research builds on a previous study by Prof d’Ettorre and her colleagues where they showed ants were able to “sniff out” human cancer cells grown in the lab.

Ants can sniff out cancer, say scientists (Paul Devienne/Sorbonne Paris Nord University in Paris/PA)

Ants can detect the scent of cancer in urine, scientists have found.

Several types of cancer have been found to alter urine smell but experts have, for the first time, found ants to have this capability.