A groundbreaking diagnostic method for prostate cancer that can be completed in a single day through the NHS is set to be provided to men under suspicion of having the disease.
The innovative one-day diagnosis service harnesses artificial intelligence (AI) technology to swiftly analyze MRI scans, promptly identifying individuals at high risk of prostate cancer who are then referred to a radiologist for urgent evaluation. Following this, patients will undergo immediate biopsy procedures to confirm the presence of potential cancer.
The expedited process allows for prompt review of results by a specialized team, potentially sparing men from enduring lengthy waits for diagnosis outcomes. Through these trials, patients may receive clearance on the same day or a confirmed diagnosis as early as the following day.
This initiative aims to accelerate the diagnostic process, preventing men with suspected cancer from enduring prolonged periods of uncertainty regarding their health status.
According to Cancer Research, approximately 55,300 new cases of prostate cancer are diagnosed annually, resulting in 12,200 deaths each year.
The rapid diagnosis trial, endorsed as a potential “game changer,” is scheduled to take place at Leeds Teaching Hospitals Trust, as stated by Professor Peter Johnson, the NHS national clinical director for cancer. Johnson emphasized the significance of AI in expediting cancer diagnosis, expressing optimism about the AI-powered ‘one-day diagnostics’ trial as a potential breakthrough in reducing anxiety and uncertainty for men awaiting test results.
Health Secretary Wes Streeting highlighted the distressing impact of long waiting periods for prostate cancer test results, diagnosis, and treatment. By leveraging technology, particularly AI, the NHS aims to revolutionize diagnostic processes, offering same-day prostate cancer diagnoses to enhance patient outcomes and provide swift support to healthcare professionals.
The technology will be implemented across 10,000 scans at approximately 15 hospitals in Yorkshire, Manchester, and regions in the South West and South East of England.
