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In a groundbreaking move, the NHS is set to launch its largest breast cancer screening trial using artificial intelligence (AI), aiming to recruit nearly 700,000 women across 30 sites starting in April. The £11 million Early Detection using Information Technology in Health (Edith) trial will evaluate five different AI platforms to see if they can speed up breast cancer diagnoses while reducing the workload for radiologists.
Currently, every mammogram is reviewed by two radiologists to ensure accuracy. The trial hopes that AI can take on part of this task, allowing one specialist to handle screenings, thereby freeing up radiologists to see more patients and help cut down waiting times. With over two million mammograms performed annually in the UK, the potential to streamline this process could significantly impact cancer care efficiency.
While health officials, including the UK’s Health Secretary Wes Streeting, see this as a potential leap forward in cancer diagnostics, experts caution that AI isn’t a quick fix. The Royal College of Radiologists notes that the NHS is still facing a critical shortage of radiologists, with a 30% shortfall. As the trial unfolds, it will provide valuable insights into AI’s role in cancer detection, complementing ongoing efforts to develop the UK's new national cancer plan.
