desk
Share
News Topical, Digital Desk : Technology has taken another major leap forward in the medical world. A comprehensive study conducted in Sweden has proven that the use of artificial intelligence in breast cancer screening is not only safe but also more effective than traditional methods.
The 2023 results, published in the journal "The Lancet," have attracted the attention of doctors and researchers worldwide. Let's explore what this study found and why it is important for the future.
AI vs. standard screening
This study, conducted as part of Sweden's national breast cancer screening program, found that AI-assisted mammography yielded more accurate results than standard mammography. The most significant finding was that the use of AI detected 20 percent more cancer cases than standard screening.
The study, conducted between April 2021 and December 2022, involved over 105,900 women. They were randomly divided into two groups: one group was screened using AI and the other was screened using standard double readings (by a radiologist).
Radiologist's work is halved
Another major benefit of this technology is reducing doctors' workload. Research found that using AI reduced radiologists' screen-reading time by 44 percent. Dr. Christina Lang, a clinical researcher at Lund University, stated that this is the first randomized controlled trial of its kind. AI can also help detect aggressive cancers early, allowing for timely treatment.
What is 'interval cancer' and the impact of AI?
'Interval cancer' is cancer that occurs between two scheduled screening tests (i.e., the previous test was negative, but the disease was detected before the next check-up).
- AI group: 1.55 interval cancers per 1,000 women
- Standard group: 1.76 interval cancers per 1,000 women
This means that the use of AI reduced the diagnosis of interval cancers by 12 percent, indicating that the AI was detecting disease earlier during screening. Furthermore, the rate of false positive results was approximately the same in both groups.
How easy is the path for India?
While the results from Sweden are encouraging, the challenges in the Indian context are different.
- Infrastructure gap: India does not have a nationally organised population-based screening system like Sweden.
- Quality disparity: There is a stark difference in image quality and machines between large hospitals in Mumbai and rural hospitals in Bihar. Implementing AI in India will require standardization of equipment.
- Lack of data: Sweden has a robust cancer registry system that tracks patients. India lacks such a follow-up system. Without this, it will be difficult to determine if AI is missing any cases.
AI-enabled mammography has the potential to transform the future of breast cancer screening. It could not only detect more cases but also ease the workload on radiologists. However, adapting it to each country's healthcare system will be a major challenge.
--Advertisement--
