New AI Tech Stays After Boosting Cancer Detection in Trials

How New AI is Revolutionizing Early Cancer Detection in Colonoscopies

The South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust (STSFT) has decided to make AI technology a permanent part of their medical procedures after a successful trial. This new AI tool, known as GI Genius, is used during colonoscopies to detect early signs of bowel cancer, excelling at identifying tiny or flat polyps that might otherwise go unnoticed by doctors. Detecting these early can prevent them from developing into cancer.

AI Increases Polyp Detection Rates

The GI Genius has proven to be highly effective, spotting on average an additional 0.36 adenomas—polyps that could turn cancerous if ignored—during each colonoscopy. This improvement is significant in medical terms, helping to treat these growths before they become a major issue. According to Prof Colin Rees, a gastroenterologist at STSFT, the AI’s capacity to keep learning from each procedure means it only gets better with time.

Insights from the Colo-detect Trial

The trial, known as the Colo-detect trial, involved over 2,000 patients and 10 different hospital trusts across England. The results were impressive: the AI helped find adenomas in an extra eight out of every 100 patients compared to standard procedures, without increasing risks or complications. This success demonstrates the AI’s ability to improve patient outcomes by identifying potential cancers earlier.

The Future of AI in Gastrointestinal Health

With its proven success, AI technology is now a standard part of colonoscopy procedures at STSFT, and there’s hope that its use will spread throughout the UK. As the AI continues to learn from vast amounts of data, its diagnostic accuracy is expected to keep improving. This trial may well be a turning point in how bowel cancer is detected and treated moving forward.

Discover how new AI technology in colonoscopies at South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust is transforming the fight against cancer. Learn about the groundbreaking success of the Colo-detect trial and the promising future of AI in gastroenterology.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About the New AI Technology in Colonoscopies

1. What is GI Genius and how does it work?
   GI Genius is an advanced AI technology used during colonoscopies to help detect polyps, which are small growths in the colon that can turn into cancer if left untreated. It uses machine learning to analyze the images captured during the procedure, identifying polyps that might be missed by the human eye. This tool supports doctors by providing a second, highly accurate set of eyes, ensuring no potential issues are overlooked.
2. What were the results of the Colo-detect trial involving GI Genius?
   The Colo-detect trial was a significant study involving over 2,000 patients across 10 hospital trusts in England. The trial found that with the help of GI Genius, doctors were able to detect adenomas in an additional eight out of every 100 patients compared to standard procedures without AI. This increase in detection rate proves that AI can play a crucial role in identifying early signs of potential cancer, leading to earlier and potentially life-saving interventions.
3. Will other hospitals start using GI Genius too?
   Following the successful trial, there’s a strong push for broader adoption of GI Genius across the UK. The South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust (STSFT) has already made it a standard part of their colonoscopy procedures. The hope is that as more data on its effectiveness becomes available, and as the technology continues to improve, other healthcare facilities will begin to integrate this AI tool into their own gastroenterology departments.

Sources BBC