Displaying items by tag: Cancer Research

Hundreds of thousands of women in the UK will be screened for breast cancer using AI technology in a groundbreaking trial designed to reduce waiting times and improve early detection. The £11 million trial will involve nearly 700,000 patients, replacing one of the two radiologists typically used to review mammograms with AI. Experts believe AI could increase accuracy and speed up diagnoses, allowing radiologists to focus on other areas of patient care. The trial will take place in thirty sites nationwide, with different AI technologies being tested to determine the most effective. Smaller studies have already suggested that AI may be better than human doctors at detecting breast cancer from mammograms. However, with a 40% shortfall in consultant radiologists expected by 2028, medical leaders emphasise the need for continued investment in screening services. Health secretary Wes Streeting, himself a cancer survivor, has pledged to prioritise early detection and patient care in the upcoming National Cancer Plan.

A UK study has revealed a significant decline in cancer death rates among middle-aged individuals since the early 1990s, despite an increase in cases. Cancer Research UK, a key contributor to the study, noted a 37% decrease in male cancer deaths and a 33% decrease in female cancer deaths from 1993 to 2018. The research found notable reductions in death rates for many, including a 54.3% decrease in cervical cancer fatalities among women, largely due to the HPV vaccine and better screening. Similarly, lung cancer deaths dropped significantly, particularly in men, partly due to reduced smoking rates. There were substantial mortality reductions in both men and women aged 35-69 years, reflecting the success in cancer prevention, earlier detection, and improved diagnostics. However, there was a notable increase in cancer diagnoses in this age group, attributed to such factors as obesity, alcohol consumption, and sun exposure.