Artificial intelligence (AI) will be used to help detect breast cancer in 30 sites across the country as part of a new trial to test how AI tools can be used to help early diagnosis, the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) has announced on World Cancer Day.
The technology will screen patients to identify changes in breast tissue that show signs of cancer. Currently two specialists are needed per mammogram screening, but AI would enable just one to complete the process, according to the DHSC.
Nearly 700,000 women will take part in the trial, which is called EDITH, or Early Detection using Information Technology in Health, and backed by £11m of funding via the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR). The 30 sites taking part will be given access to AI technology to use in routine screenings.
Around 55,000 people are diagnosed with breast cancer every year, with women between 50 and 71 currently invited to screening every three years to help detect cases.
Professor Lucy Chappell, chief scientific adviser at the DHSC and chief executive of the NIHR said: ‘This landmark trial could lead to a significant step forward in the early detection of breast cancer, offering women faster, more accurate diagnoses when it matters most.
‘It is another example of how NIHR research, shaped and funded by the public, is crucial for rigorously testing world-leading new technologies, such as AI, that can potentially save lives while reducing the burden on the NHS.’
Health secretary Wes Streeting said the DHSC would be publishing a national cancer plan this year, to continue improving survival rates and patient experience.
He said: ‘As a cancer survivor, I feel like one of the lucky ones. With record numbers of people diagnosed with cancer, and Lord Darzi finding that cancer survival is worse in this country than our peers, I know that urgent action is needed to save lives and improve patient care.
‘That’s why for World Cancer Day, I am committed to publishing a dedicated national cancer plan this year, to unleash Britain’s potential as a world-leader in saving lives from this deadly disease and make the NHS fit for the future through our Plan for Change.’
The children and young people’s cancer taskforce has also been re-launched to bring together experts to improve treatment, detection and research, as well as to feed into the national cancer plan.
NHS national clinical director for cancer Professor Peter Johnson said: ‘The NHS is diagnosing more cancers at an early stage than ever before – when treatment is most likely to be effective – but we know we need to accelerate progress further.
‘A national cancer plan will give us the chance to do just that – bringing in new ideas, help us make best practice, normal practice – and ensure the NHS is at the cutting edge of new cancer developments and innovations in the future.’
It comes as bowel cancer screening has been rolled out to over 50s from last month.
In November, it was announced that a new iPhone app and device were to be piloted across the West Midlands to help detect and rule out suspected throat cancer.
Healthcare Leader spoke to the CEO of the company behind the tool, Dr Chris Coulson on how it came about and what it hopes to achieve.
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