Revolutionary AI trial for breast cancer diagnostics

This innovative diagnostic tool, developed by Ibex Medical Analytics, is the focus of a 12-month trial funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research. The tool aims to enhance the accuracy of reporting and streamline the time required for pathologists to review and report each biopsy, thereby confirming or excluding the presence of breast cancer more efficiently.

The AI tool has been developed using a specially trained algorithm, leveraging the input and expertise of over 100 pathologists globally. By running a series of checks on tissue samples, the technology assists pathologists in detecting breast cancer more swiftly and accurately. Rigorous testing has demonstrated the tool's high accuracy rate, which reduces the need for repeat biopsies and allows pathologists to allocate more time to other critical tasks.

Dr David Bailey, Consultant Pathologist for North West Anglia NHS Foundation Trust, expressed his enthusiasm for the trial: “This is a really exciting breakthrough in diagnostics and something we are incredibly proud to be a part of. I have seen some huge advancements in technology during my career but none more so than the strides being made in digital pathology now.”

The Trust has already experienced success with a similar AI tool used in prostate cancer cases over the past 18 months, leading to notable improvements in cancer care. The current trial, focused on breast cancer patients, will initially employ the AI tool as a safety net following a consultant's report on biopsy slides for the first three months. After this period, the AI will pre-read biopsy slides, quickly highlighting areas of concern and identifying cancer much faster, thereby achieving diagnoses in a significantly shorter timeframe.

Dr Bailey highlighted the transformative potential of AI in pathology: “The future of pathology is changing, and it not only benefits the patient but also the clinicians. The AI doesn’t fatigue like humans do and it is a fantastic aid to us as pathologists. It will make a huge difference to the way we diagnose patients in the future and improve both patient experience and care.”