The UK government has announced a major trial to test AI in breast cancer screening, aiming to speed up diagnoses and ease pressure on radiologists.
The government claims that the trial, announced on this World Cancer Day, is set to be the largest of its kind, and will evaluate five AI platforms across 30 screening sites, starting in April 2025.
Nearly 700,000 women will participate in the EDITH trial (Early Detection using Information Technology in Health), which will see AI analyse 462,000 mammograms alongside traditional radiologist-led reviews of 238,000 scans.
If successful, AI in breast cancer screening could allow a single specialist to assess a scan instead of the current two, freeing up radiologists to see more patients and cut waiting times.
Funded with £11 million from the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR), this initiative aligns with the UK’s AI Opportunities Action Plan, which aims to integrate cutting-edge technology into public services.
Health Secretary Wes Streeting, himself a cancer survivor, emphasised the urgency of tackling cancer care delays: “With record diagnoses and survival rates lagging behind our peers, urgent action is needed. AI could be a game-changer in saving lives and making the NHS fit for the future.”
Science and Technology Secretary Peter Kyle also highlighted AI’s potential. “Catching cancer earlier can mean the difference between life and death. These trials could speed up diagnoses, get women into treatment faster, and reduce NHS pressure,” he said.
However, experts also urged caution. Katharine Halliday, president of the Royal College of Radiologists, warned in The Guardian: “AI has immense potential, but also significant risks. Algorithms must be carefully designed to ensure accuracy across diverse patient groups. Meanwhile, the NHS still faces a projected 40% shortfall in radiologists by 2028.”
Global efforts for AI in breast cancer screening
Last year TechInformed reported about the early stages of the NHS’s trial with AI tools on breast cancer detection, with an AI tool called ‘Mia’ that detected breast cancer in 11 women missed by doctors.
Globally, advances in AI have led to several notable trials aimed at improving AI in breast cancer screening, reducing radiologists’ workloads, and enhancing patient outcomes.
In Sweden, a 2023 study demonstrated that AI could halve radiologists’ workload without increasing false positives, inspiring larger trials elsewhere.
In the US, the integration of AI into breast cancer screening is also gaining momentum. A study published in JAMA Network highlighted the growing role of AI in breast cancer screening, emphasising the need for increased regulatory standards and improved post-marketing surveillance to ensure these tools effectively improve patient outcomes.
Additionally, in Germany, the PRAIM trial, as reported in Nature Medicine, found that AI-supported mammography screening was feasible, safe, and more likely to detect breast cancer compared to the standard double-reader approach.
