The use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) is revolutionising the healthcare industry, including the diagnosis of diseases. In a recent case, AI helped spot bowel cancer in a woman during a routine test. The technology identified a growth in the woman’s colon that had been missed by healthcare professionals. This incident is just one example of how AI could potentially transform the way doctors detect diseases and offer timely interventions. In this article, we delve deeper into the story and explore the implications of AI in healthcare.
Colorectal cancer is the 3rd most common cancer worldwide, with over 1.8 million cases diagnosed in 2018 alone. However, early diagnosis can significantly increase a patient’s chance of recovery. For this reason, researchers have been exploring new technologies that can improve the accuracy of cancer screenings. One such method is to use artificial intelligence (AI) to “flag up” areas of concern during colonoscopies, which could be missed by the human eye.
A recent study called Colo-Detect used AI technology to detect bowel cancer in patients, and one woman, Jean Tyler, is now free of the disease after it was found and removed during the study. Tyler, 75, from South Shields, agreed to participate in the trial along with about 2,000 other patients from 10 NHS trusts. The AI detected a number of polyps and an area of cancer on her colonoscopy about a year ago, and she underwent surgery at South Tyneside District Hospital soon after.
“I had fantastic support, it was unbelievable,” she said. “I had about seven or eight visits last year, and I was so well looked after. I always say yes to these research projects because I know that they can make things a lot better for everybody.”
Gastroenterology consultant Professor Colin Rees, who led the study alongside a team of colleagues from several NHS trusts, described the study as “world-leading” in improving detection. He added that AI was likely to become “a major tool used by medicine in the coming years”. The study’s results are expected to be published in the autumn and will be studied to see how it can help save lives from bowel cancer – the second biggest killer cancer, claiming around 16,800 lives a year in the UK.
Colorectal cancer is a significant public health issue, and new technologies like AI are providing new solutions to help improve cancer detection rates. The use of AI in cancer screening has enormous potential, and we can expect to see more studies in the coming years that demonstrate the efficacy of this approach. In the meantime, researchers will continue to explore new ways to improve cancer detection rates so that patients like Jean Tyler can benefit from early diagnosis and successful treatment.
In conclusion, the development of AI technology in the medical field has proven to be revolutionary, and this latest breakthrough in detecting early stages of bowel cancer in women is a game-changer. The ability to diagnose cancer earlier and more accurately than ever before means that patients can receive timely treatment, and ultimately, better outcomes. It’s a significant step forward in our fight against cancer, and we can only hope that more women will be saved thanks to this new approach. With continued advancements in technology, we can look forward to a brighter and healthier future for all.
