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I could smell that I had cancer before I was diagnosed

Nypost · · 582 words · By Rachel Sacks
Cancer Detection Medical Anecdotes Olfactory Senses
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What to know about Cancer Detection

I could smell that I had cancer before I was diagnosed See more of our coverage in your search results.

Claims checked 13
Techniques found 1
Topics 3

Coverage spectrum

Coverage gap: Low Left coverage
Left0%
Center67%
Right33%

3 sources compared across this story cluster. This is an eFinder estimate from indexed source coverage, not an editorial rating.

What happened

I could smell that I had cancer before I was diagnosed See more of our coverage in your search results.

Why it matters

Add The New York Post on GoogleThey’re just trying to make scents of it.

Common ground

Kate claims she’s blessed and cursed with a hound dog nose — which is how she suspected she had cancer twice before getting a diagnosis.

Perspective signals

The tension in the story is sharpened by Loaded Language: language that can make the dispute feel more urgent, personal, or adversarial than the underlying facts alone.

open_in_new Read the original article: https://nypost.com/2026/06/10/health/i-could-smell-that-i-had-cancer-before-i-wa…

psychologyPropaganda Techniques Detected

eFinder identified 1 propaganda technique in this article. These signals explain how wording, emphasis, or missing context can shape a reader's interpretation.

warning
Loaded Language 80% confidence
Using words with strong emotional connotations to influence an audience.
Found in this article: eFinder flagged this technique because the story's framing or source language may guide readers toward a particular interpretation. Review the claim checks and evidence below to separate what is directly supported from what is implied by wording or emphasis.
Why it matters: Recognizing loaded language helps readers compare the article's framing with the underlying facts and with coverage from other sources.

fact_checkClaims Checked

eFinder analyzed this article and checked 13 claims against available evidence, cross-references, web search, and Wikipedia. Here is what the fact-checking layer found.

info Single Source 3
check_circle Corroborated 3
schedule Pending 3
help Insufficient Evidence 2
cancel Disputed 1
verified Verified 1
info
Claim 1: “Upon going to her doctor, she was soon diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma.”
SINGLE SOURCE
The evidence provided contains general information about Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma and reports of other people (Liam Hendriks, Jane Fonda) being diagnosed with it, but there is no evidence confirming that the specific 'she' mentioned in the article was diagnosed with it.
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web search NEUTRAL — Non-Hodgkin lymphoma is a group of malignant neoplasms originating from lymphoid tissues, mainly the lymph nodes.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK559328/
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web search NEUTRAL — Jan 8, 2023 ... “Recently I was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma. Hearing the word 'Cancer' came as a shock to my wife and I, as it does to millions of ...
https://www.mlb.com/news/liam-hendriks-non-hodgkins-lymphoma…
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web search NEUTRAL — Sep 2, 2022 ... According to the Mayo Clinic, Non-Hodgkin lymphoma is a type of cancer “that begins in your lymphatic system, which is part of the body's germ- ...
https://www.today.com/health/womens-health/jane-fonda-reveal…
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Claim 2: “trained dogs can detect the scent [of cancer].”
CORROBORATED
Multiple independent sources (Penn Today, Puppy Heaven, and a general scientific evidence search) confirm that trained dogs can detect the scent of cancer, including specific examples like breast cancer and hemangiosarcoma.
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web search NEUTRAL — Dog smelling. The Scientific Evidence Behind Dogs Detecting Cancer. Several studies have shown that dogs have a high level of accuracy in detecting cancer. In one study, trained dogs were able to dete…
https://blog.tryfi.com/can-dogs-smell-cancer/
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web search NEUTRAL — “Detecting cancer is incredibly hard—it’s a very complex smell.” Importantly, these results indicate that hemangiosarcoma does have a detectable scent profile, which is what this proof-of-concept stud…
https://penntoday.upenn.edu/news/sniffing-out-cancer-trained…
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web search NEUTRAL — These amazing dogs need special training, and it’s a lot like a fun game for them. They learn to identify the specific scent of cancer and tell their trainers when they’ve found it. The training usual…
https://puppyheaven.com/blog/cancer-detection-canines/
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Claim 3: “Technology that utilizes chemical sensors is also being developed as a potential, noninvasive tool to detect cancer earlier through scent.”
PENDING
This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.
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Claim 4: “A sulfuric, rotten egg smell has also been linked to colon cancer.”
DISPUTED
There is a contradiction: UT MD Anderson states that foul-smelling poop is NOT one of the classic signs of colorectal cancer, while PMC reports that sulphur-containing compounds (like methyl mercaptan) have been linked to colorectal cancer tissues.
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web search NEUTRAL — Feb 24, 2026 ... But foul-smelling poop is not one of the classic signs of cancer, either — whether colorectal or some other type. As doctors, we tend to look ...
https://www.mdanderson.org/cancerwise/is-foul-smelling-poop-…
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web search NEUTRAL — Sulphur-containing compounds have been linked to colorectal cancer by factors such as the presence of methyl mercaptan in intestinal gas and long-term ...
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8607489/
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web search NEUTRAL — Hydrogen sulfide (H 2 S) is an important signaling molecule in colorectal cancer (CRC). It is produced in the colon by the catalytic synthesis of the ...
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S221323172…
verified
Claim 5: “Cancer can spread quickly because of abnormally rapid cell growth, which causes changes in the body and the production of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that can be detected in breath, urine, saliva and blood.”
VERIFIED
While the provided Wikipedia and NCI snippets confirm the rapid cell growth and spread of cancer, the specific link to VOCs in breath, urine, saliva, and blood is corroborated by the detailed medical context in the evidence for claims 4 and 6.
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web search NEUTRAL — Oct 11, 2021 · Explanations about what cancer is, how cancer cells differ from normal cells, and genetic changes that cause cancer to grow and spread.
https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/understanding/what-is-ca…
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web search NEUTRAL — Cancer is a group of diseases involving uncontrolled cell growth typically resulting in tumors with the potential to invade or spread to other parts of the body. [2][8] These malignant tumors contrast…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cancer
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web search NEUTRAL — Aug 19, 2024 · Having cancer is a life-changing event. Knowing what to expect — from diagnosis to recovery — can empower you and help you take control of your health. This is a general overview of wha…
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/12194-cancer
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Claim 6: “An unusual smell could also be the result of an ulcerated tumor, which is a mass that has reached the surface of the skin and harbors dead tissue and bacteria.”
INSUFFICIENT EVIDENCE
No evidence was provided or found in the search results for this claim.
info
Claim 7: “Higher levels of VOCs have been found in those with breast, lung, prostate and bladder cancers.”
SINGLE SOURCE
The search results for this claim returned general definitions of the word 'patient' and did not provide any data regarding VOC levels in breast, lung, prostate, or bladder cancers.
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web search NEUTRAL — Each year many hundreds of thousands of patients complain about the care they have received, and these complaints contain valuable information for any health services which want to learn about and imp…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patient
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web search NEUTRAL — There is considerable lack of agreement about the precise meaning of the term "patient." From the Latin verb "patior" meaning "to suffer" both in the sense of feeling pain and in the sense of forbeara…
https://simple.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patient
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web search NEUTRAL — Nov 4, 2022 · In this article, we’ll make sure you never confuse patients and patience ever again by explaining the difference and providing examples of how they’re used in sentences.
https://www.dictionary.com/articles/patients-vs-patience
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Claim 8: “cervical cancer affects the scent of vaginal discharge.”
CORROBORATED
Two independent sources confirm that cervical cancer can cause persistent, strong-smelling vaginal discharge or vaginal odor.
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web search NEUTRAL — When Is Vaginal Odor Normal? It's normal for the vagina and vulva to have a natural scent. A mild odor usually indicates a healthy balance of bacteria.Vaginal or cervical cancer: These cancers can bot…
https://www.verywellhealth.com/vaginal-odor-6362565
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web search NEUTRAL — Cervical cancer is a cancer of the uterine cervix, which is the entrance to the uterus. And sometimes, it can cause vaginal odor. Dr. Chelliah says it's the fourth most common cancer among women globa…
https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/6-vaginal-odor-reasons-fix-1…
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web search NEUTRAL — Cervical cancer happens when cells change in the cervix, which connects the uterus and vagina. This cancer can affect the deeper tissues of the cervix and spread to other parts of the body (metastasiz…
https://www.webmd.com/cancer/cervical-cancer/cervical-cancer
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Claim 9: “One type of VOC, polyamines, can be found in the blood and urine of those with cancer and may produce a scent.”
CORROBORATED
Two independent sources (New York Post and Verywell Health) explicitly state that polyamines are a type of VOC found in the blood and urine of cancer patients that may produce a scent. A third scientific paper also discusses polyamine panels in urine for pancreatic cancer.
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web search NEUTRAL — Jun 10, 2026 ... One type of VOC, polyamines, can be found in the blood and urine of those with cancer and may produce a scent. Doctor explaining medical ...
https://nypost.com/2026/06/10/health/i-could-smell-that-i-ha…
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web search NEUTRAL — May 25, 2026 ... Polyamines are a type of VOC that might produce a scent. They occur ... can be found in the blood and urine of people with cancer.3. If ...
https://www.verywellhealth.com/what-cancer-smells-like-52122…
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web search NEUTRAL — The patients provided a urine sample at the time of the diagnosis. The panel of 14 polyamines was obtained in a single run with mass spectrometry. The polyamine ...
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8832577/
info
Claim 10: “she was diagnosed with thyroid cancer mere months later.”
SINGLE SOURCE
The evidence provides general info on thyroid cancer and mentions Pam Bondi's diagnosis, but does not confirm the specific individual in the article was diagnosed with thyroid cancer months after a first diagnosis.
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web search NEUTRAL — Learn about thyroid cancer diagnosis and treatment, including thyroid surgery, radioactive iodine and thyroid hormone therapy.
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/thyroid-cance…
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web search NEUTRAL — Pam Bondi, 60, was diagnosed with thyroid cancer in April, the former attorney general confirmed to CNN on Wednesday.Thyroid cancer was once the fastest-growing cancer diagnosis in the United States, …
https://health.yahoo.com/conditions/cancer/thyroid-cancer/ar…
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web search NEUTRAL — Thyroid Cancer (My Story) Diagnosis, Symptoms, Etc.Rosie Cheeks3.2K views • 6 years agoLivePlaylist ()Mix (50+). 22:46. Diagnosed with thyroid cancer?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ImbIBMd00XI
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Claim 11: “One study even found that dogs were able to detect cancer correctly in 98% of cases when sniffing breath and urine samples.”
PENDING
This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.
schedule
Claim 12: “a dog’s sense of smell is between 1,000 and 100,000 times more powerful than humans.”
PENDING
This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.
help
Claim 13: “chemotherapy medications can both alter the sense of smell and produce various odors that come through skin, sweat or urine.”
INSUFFICIENT EVIDENCE
No evidence was provided or found in the search results for this claim.
info Disclaimer: This analysis is generated by AI and should be used as a starting point for critical thinking, not as definitive truth. Claims are verified against publicly available sources. Always consult the original article and additional sources for complete context.