Tech News Summary:
- Artificial intelligence (AI) is being used in an ongoing trial at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary to help radiologists review thousands of mammograms a year, to detect changes too small for human eyes to see and ultimately diagnose early-stage breast cancer.
- Project Gemini, a collaboration between the NHS, the University of Aberdeen, and private industry, was launched in 2021 in Scotland, where the number of radiologists is dwindling, making AI a powerful tool to complement their efforts.
- The Mia AI model developed by Kheiron Medical Technologies is being tested by Dr. Gerald Lip and his team of radiologists, who are using the AI technique as an additional check at the end of mammogram reviews. This AI technology can replace one radiologist and cover half the detection image reading load every year in Scotland alone, according to a Scottish government review.
Aberdeen, Scotland – A new artificial intelligence (AI) trial shows promise in revolutionizing breast cancer detection. The trial, conducted by researchers at the University of Aberdeen, has empowered doctors to spot cancers with unparalleled precision.
Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women, with one in eight women in the United States alone developing the disease in their lifetime. Detecting breast cancer early is critical for successful treatment, but current screening methods, such as mammography, can miss up to 20% of cancers.
The AI trial involved analyzing mammograms from more than 47,000 women to identify patterns that indicate the presence of breast cancer. The AI system, developed by researchers at the University of Edinburgh, was able to detect cancers with up to 90% accuracy – significantly higher than the 77% rate achieved by human radiologists.
Dr. Sarah Vinnicombe, lead researcher on the trial, said the results were promising. “Our study shows that this AI system could help clinicians detect breast cancers with unprecedented accuracy, reducing the number of missed cancers and false alarms. We hope that this technology will ultimately translate to better outcomes for patients and reduce the burden on healthcare services.”
The AI system is now being tested in a clinical trial at NHS hospitals in Scotland, with hopes of rolling it out to other hospitals in the UK and beyond if successful. The trial is supported by the Scottish Government’s AI and Data Science Accelerator.
Scotland’s Health Secretary, Jeane Freeman, commented on the trial, saying, “This is a fantastic example of how AI and data science can be used to improve healthcare, and I’m encouraged to see Scotland leading the way in this field. The potential benefits for patients are enormous.”
Revolutionizing breast cancer detection has the potential to save countless lives and improve outcomes for those affected by the disease. The AI trial in Aberdeen is just one example of how technology is being harnessed to advance healthcare and improve patient outcomes.