Major Breast Cancer Screening AI Trial to Begin
A groundbreaking initiative is set to commence in the UK, with nearly 700,000 women being recruited to participate in an NHS artificial intelligence (AI) breast cancer screening trial. This trial will involve testing five different AI platforms at 30 sites starting in April, aiming to assess whether the technology can expedite diagnoses and alleviate the workload of radiologists.
The UK government is concurrently seeking input to shape its national cancer plan, scheduled for release later this year. AI is already being explored in various capacities within the NHS, from aiding in cancer treatment to managing waiting lists and reviewing cancer scans. However, this trial represents the largest AI trial specifically focused on breast cancer to date.
The £11 million Early Detection using Information Technology in Health (Edith) trial will invite women already scheduled for routine NHS screenings to participate. Screening is typically offered to women aged 50 to 53, with follow-ups every three years until the age of 71, involving mammograms to detect early signs of cancer.
Currently, two radiologists are required to review images from each screening for accuracy. The AI under trial aims to streamline this process, potentially allowing a single specialist to handle the task, thereby enabling radiologists to attend to more patients and reduce waiting lists. With over two million mammograms conducted annually under the screening programme, the impact on radiologists' workload could be substantial.
Prof Lucy Chappell, Chief Scientific Adviser at the Department of Health and Social Care, expressed optimism that this study could mark a significant advancement in cancer care. Health Secretary Wes Streeting emphasised the need for urgent action to improve cancer care in the UK, highlighting the country's lagging cancer survival rates compared to other nations.
As part of the broader effort to enhance cancer care, the government has called for evidence, encouraging patients, healthcare professionals, and experts to share their insights on the Change NHS website. Despite acknowledging the immense potential of AI, Dr Katharine Halliday, President of the Royal College of Radiologists, cautioned that the NHS still faces a 30% shortage of radiologists, underscoring the ongoing need to bolster radiology capacity.
Nearly 700,000 women to participate in an NHS AI breast cancer screening trial.
Trial to test five AI platforms across 30 sites in the UK starting in April.
Aim is to speed up diagnoses and alleviate radiologists' workload.
Source: BBC