Artificial intelligence could screen lung cancer better than humans

By Mark Waghorn via SWNS

Artificial intelligence is more than twice as good as humans at screening patients for lung cancer, according to new research.

The technique is more sensitive - being much less likely to miss cases that need immediate treatment.

It could improve survival rates for one of the deadliest forms of the disease.

In a real-world setting, machine learning-based software significantly boosted the identification of lung nodules on chest X-rays.

The abnormal growths commonly form after infections. In rare cases, they are a sign of cancer.

Co-author Dr. Jin Mo Goo of Seoul National University Hospital said: "Detecting lung nodules, a primary finding of lung cancer, is one of the crucial tasks in chest X-rays.

"Many studies have suggested AI-based computer-aided detection software can improve radiologists' performance, but it is not widely used."

The results published in the journal Radiology show it can be a powerful tool - especially when experiencing a high volume of cases.

Lung cancer is too often diagnosed after it has spread owing to there being few initial symptoms.

It kills over 35,300 people in the UK each year - more than breast, bowel, bladder and cervical cancer combined.

The findings are based on around 10,500 people who underwent chest X-rays at a screening center in South Korea between June 2020 and December 2021.

Dr. Goo said: "As our trial was conducted with a pragmatic approach, almost all enrolled participants were included, which is a real clinical setting."

It took into account age, sex and past history of lung cancer. One in nine (11%) were current or former smokers.

They were randomly and evenly divided - with the analysis of one group's X-rays being aided by AI.

In 0.59 percent of cases, lung nodules requiring action were detected - compared to 0.25 percent of the others whose images were reviewed only by radiologists.

Overall, lung nodules were identified in two percent of the patients. There were no differences in false-referral rates.

Dr. Goo said: "Our study provided strong evidence that AI could really help in interpreting chest radiography.

"This will contribute to identifying chest diseases, especially lung cancer, more effectively at an earlier stage."

The study in Radiology also suggested AI works consistently across different populations - even for those with diseased or postoperative lungs.

AI has previously been shown to predict bowel diseases, Alzheimer's, heart attacks and dementia.