AI to spot breast cancer 'better than humans'

26 July 2023 , 17:34

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AI could soon be used to check for tumours (Image: Getty Images/Juice Images RF)

British scientists are training AI systems to detect breast cancer on scans - by copying the eye movements of skilled radiologists.

The technology is being developed to help NHS doctors to detect cancer earlier by checking the scans of patients.

Researchers have recorded the eye movement of radiologists reading medical images before feeding the data to the AI system.

It means the system will then be able to identify where radiologists are most likely to look on a scan when preparing a diagnosis.

Hantao Liu, of Cardiff University, said the team had worked with doctors in NHS hospitals in Wales and England.

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He said: “We want to develop the systems radiologists can work with and trust. With all of the challenges facing the NHS, it is important that we look to data science and AI for possible solutions.”

Scans would be checked over by AI (Getty Images)

Judi Rhys, chief executive of cancer charity Tenovus, said patients with particularly worrying scans could be accelerated through the system.

She said: “Its potential use in diagnosing cancers early is phenomenal. It’s not about replacing the radiologists but it is about making them able to be much more responsive.”

She said it was still important to look at the workforce after a 30 per cent shortage of radiology consultants across the UK.

She added: “But tools like this can really help them and support them in their work and that’s got to be a good thing for patients.”

Adam Aspinall