Leeds Trust to trial new AI breast cancer screening method to be rolled out on NHS

The prime minister will announce later this week that thousands of women will have their mammograms assessed by an AI ‘doctor’ in a real-time clinical trial aimed at improving early breast cancer detection.

Mr Sunak has hailed a collaboration between the NHS and Korean firm Lunit on using AI to improve the accuracy and speed of breast cancer diagnosis as an example of the positives of the new technology.

“AI is changing the world around us.  It has the potential to help us cure diseases, fight climate change, revolutionise public services and improve lives.

“We all know how vital early detection is – so just imagine what improvements here could mean for millions of women and their families.”

Britain’s trial of using AI in breast cancer diagnosis has been celebrated as the first of its kind, and clinicians will use Lunit’s AI to analyse mammograms at a breast screening clinic operated by the Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust.

The process is usually done by two radiologists who each separately check a scan to help ensure no signs of cancer are missed.

If successful, the practice could be rolled out more widely in the NHS, a move that will speed up diagnosis of breast cancer and enable earlier detection by freeing up more radiologists.

Dr Nisha Sharma, consultant radiologist and director of the breast screening programme for Leeds and Wakefield, said “This is an important study as we are facing significant workforce challenges and this trial may support us in continuing to deliver a high-quality service with AI.”

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Posted by Karen Motley, Clinical Negligence Department, Chadwick Lawrence LLP (jacquelinevance@chadlaw.co.uk), medical negligence lawyers and clinical negligence solicitors in Huddersfield, Leeds, Wakefield and Halifax, West Yorkshire.

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