Hospitals to Continue Using AI Technology After Successful Cancer Trial
South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust (STSFT) will continue using advanced AI technology following a successful trial that demonstrated its potential to significantly improve the detection of precancerous lesions in the bowel.
The trial involved the GI Genius AI device, which was used during colonoscopies—a procedure that involves using a camera to inspect the inside of a person's bowel.
Enhanced Detection of Precancerous Lesions
The AI-powered GI Genius module aids medical staff in identifying adenomas, which are lesions that can potentially develop into cancer.
On average, the AI device was able to detect an additional 0.36 adenomas per colonoscopy. Professor Colin Rees, a consultant gastroenterologist at STSFT, emphasized the life-saving potential of the new technology: "This trial has demonstrated that using artificial intelligence can significantly increase detection of the kind of abnormalities in the bowel that may progress to cancer."
The AI technology's ability to identify more small or flat polyps—types of lesions often missed by the human eye—plays a crucial role in early intervention. "We are able to find these lesions, remove them, and stop these lesions from turning into cancer," Prof. Rees added.
Significant Impact on Bowel Cancer Outcomes
Bowel cancer is a major health concern in the UK, with approximately 43,000 new cases and 16,000 deaths annually. The trial's findings, which involved 2,032 patients from 10 centers across the UK, indicate that the AI device identified at least one adenoma in an extra eight out of every 100 people screened, without increasing the risk of complications.
Prof. Rees highlighted the importance of integrating AI technology into routine clinical practice: "We now use this technology routinely in our practice and I really hope that it will be used more widely."
The Future of AI in Medical Diagnostics
One of the key benefits of using AI, according to Prof. Rees, is its capacity to learn and improve continuously. "The fantastic thing about using AI is that it learns. It is trained by looking at images. It’s adding to its knowledge all the time, so it’s only going to get better," he said.
The Colo-detect trial, which was led by STSFT and Newcastle University and involved 10 NHS trusts from across England, underscores the growing role of AI in enhancing the accuracy and effectiveness of cancer detection and prevention strategies.
As healthcare providers look to improve early detection and treatment of diseases like bowel cancer, the successful implementation of AI technology like the GI Genius device offers a promising path forward.