Sick bodies release tiny gases called volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which act as chemical fingerprints of disease.
“People with canc3r smell different” due to VOCs in their breath, urine, or blood. These molecules, even in tiny amounts, interact with sensitive smell receptors.
Canc3r changes how cells process energy, releasing free radicals that break down fats and proteins. This creates distinct smells: “aldehydes such as hexanal” and “ketones such as 2-butanone” are commonly found in people with lung, breast, colon, or pancreatic tumors.
Where VOCs Come From:
Breath: VOCs leave the lungs during breathing. Compounds like “p-xylene and toluene” have been detected in lung canc3r patients.
Urine: The kidneys filter and collect these molecules. One study found “a urinary VOC pattern classified breast canc3r with 92% accuracy.”
Skin: Sweat and oils also carry VOCs. Lipid-based substances like oxygenated squalene can change body odor.
