A woman from Wellington, Somerset, credits her dog’s unusual behavior with enabling the early detection of her breast cancer. Kristine Richards, 61, says her eight-year-old Chihuahua, named Flag, began pawing persistently at her armpit in 2018, prompting her to investigate further.

Initially dismissing the behavior as a minor annoyance, Richards later recalled reports of dogs detecting cancer through scent and decided to examine herself more closely. She discovered a small lump beneath her breast, which led her to seek medical advice. Following a consultation with an oncologist, Richards was diagnosed with hormone-sensitive lobular breast cancer.

Richards underwent a year of intensive treatment for the condition. She now reports being cancer-free and attributes the early diagnosis and subsequent successful outcome to Flag’s unusual behavior, noting that she had not experienced any other symptoms prior to the dog’s pawing.

“I owe my dog everything,” Richards said, emphasizing the crucial role Flag played in her diagnosis. Her case highlights the potential for animals to provide early warning signs of illness, though medical professionals emphasize that such behavior should always be followed up with proper clinical evaluation.