UK Researchers Are Using AI to Enhance Breast Cancer Diagnosis and Improve Patient Care

Doctors at Peterborough City Hospital in the UK are trialing an AI-powered diagnostic tool to enhance breast cancer analysis, aiming to improve accuracy and efficiency in diagnosing the disease.

Key Details of the Trial: The 12-month trial, funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research, involves using AI software developed by Ibex Medical Analytics to support pathologists in analyzing breast cancer biopsies:

• The AI tool aims to enhance the accuracy of reporting and reduce the time taken to review and report each biopsy, helping to confirm or exclude the presence of breast cancer more quickly.
• The software runs checks for breast cancer, using technology to analyze tissue samples and highlight areas of concern, assisting pathologists in detecting the disease with greater ease.
• During the first three months, the AI tool will be used as a safety net after a consultant has reported on biopsy slides, and later, it will pre-read slides to identify cancer faster and achieve a diagnosis in a shorter timeframe.

Potential Benefits and Impact: Consultant pathologist Dr. David Bailey described the AI-powered tool as an “exciting breakthrough” that could significantly improve patient care and experience:

• The AI doesn’t fatigue like humans do, making it a valuable aid to pathologists in diagnosing patients more effectively.
• Evidence shows that the high accuracy rate of the AI tool reduces the need for patients to undergo repeat biopsies and frees up more time for pathologists.
• The trust has already seen success in using a similar AI tool for prostate cancer cases over the last 18 months, leading to improvements in cancer care.

Broader Context: The trial comes at a time when breast cancer remains a significant health concern, with around 56,000 new cases diagnosed in women in the UK every year, according to Breast Cancer UK:

• The AI tool has been developed using an algorithm with input from over 100 pathologists worldwide and has undergone robust testing.
• The trial at Peterborough City Hospital is part of a broader trend of incorporating AI technology in healthcare to support medical professionals and improve patient outcomes.

Looking Ahead: While the trial is still in its early stages, the potential of AI in enhancing breast cancer diagnosis and treatment is promising:

• If successful, the AI-powered diagnostic tool could be adopted more widely across the NHS, helping to streamline the diagnostic process and improve the accuracy of breast cancer detection.
• The integration of AI technology in healthcare is likely to continue evolving, with the potential to transform various aspects of patient care and support medical professionals in their work.