Cancer breakthrough as doctors claim A.I. X-ray scans will save hundreds of ... trends now
Cancer patients in Scotland are being diagnosed more speedily – and treated sooner – thanks to a ground-breaking project using artificial intelligence (AI).
In a move experts believe could save hundreds of lives every year, AI is being used to scan X-rays as they are carried out – detecting tumours within seconds.
The technology can even spot tiny growths at the earliest stages of cancer that a radiologist could easily miss.
Using a comparative database of hundreds of thousands of previous X-rays, AI can also quickly identify the most serious cases which are then red-flagged for further tests and urgent treatment.
Crucially, using AI to speed up diagnosis has seen patients begin treatment weeks earlier than previously, improving their chances of survival.
AI can help medics by quickly flagging up tumours on chest X-rays for a clinician to examine further
While a handful of AI trials are taking place around Scotland, there has been little scientific evidence of its benefits.
But in a major development, a study of preliminary data from a trial at NHS Grampian has proved the value of the hi-tech process.
The system is being used to detect lung cancer cases in Aberdeenshire, and NHS Grampian’s clinical director of innovation Dr Andy Keen believes AI will soon prove transformative for many other types of cancer.
He said: ‘Early results show we have reduced the time between people getting chest X-rays and being treated for lung cancer by nine days on average.
‘We have also reduced the variation in the delay to treatment substantially.
Previously we managed to get 90 per cent of people with lung cancer treated in 99 days – now that is down to 76 days.
‘We hope this technology will save lives in two ways.
‘First, by categorising our X-ray images and accelerating investigations by experts, we believe we
