Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust is launching a pilot which could transform diagnostic testing for prostate cancer and save some men up to a month of waiting.
The new ‘one stop shop’ pilot, funded by NHS England, will use artificial intelligence to interpret MRI scans for men with suspected prostate cancer, helping to spot lesions in a matter of minutes.
The AI tool is being trialled at up to 15 NHS hospitals, with a pilot set to begin in Leeds early next year. The ‘rapid diagnosis’ pathway will offer all investigations within one day.
Through the pilot, men will be called for an MRI scan following a referral by their GP for suspected prostate cancer. This scan will be reviewed by Lucida Medical’s Pi™ AI Technology and if a scan is found to have a high-risk of cancer, it will be sent immediately to a radiologist for priority review. If a patient needs a biopsy, this will take place on the same day, removing the waiting time between appointments which can often cause distress and anxiety.
This gives doctors everything they need to either potentially give an all clear the same day or confirm a cancer diagnosis, following a review of the biopsy results.
Dr Oliver Hulson, consultant radiologist at Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust and leading the trial in Leeds said: “As clinicians, we are always looking at ways to improve the diagnosis and treatment of cancer to ensure our patients get the expert care they need as quickly as possible.
“This latest innovation pilot aims to take that a step further. The AI assisted MRI screening introduces a rapid diagnostic approach, so that we can fast-track those patients that may need to receive further investigations through MRI scans and a biopsy, to have them all in one day at the Leeds Cancer Centre. We hope this can pave the way to mean faster treatment and better outcomes for our patients and their families.”
Professor Peter Johnson, NHS national clinical director for cancer, said: “We’re really excited by the potential of artificial intelligence to speed up cancer diagnosis, and we hope this trial of an AI-powered ‘one-day diagnostics’ could be a game changer and help save men weeks of worry and uncertainty.
“As with all cancers, speed is crucial – the quicker the diagnosis, the sooner treatment can begin and help give the best chance of treatment being successful for patients and their families.
“Prostate cancer continues to have a devastating impact for tens of thousands of men and their loved ones every year in this country. We are determined to see more patients diagnosed or given the all-clear quicker, and combining the latest technology with this new testing pathway will give clinicians the tools they need to provide patients with peace of mind or pin down a cancer diagnosis as soon as possible”
Lucy Davies, VP of Clinical at Lucida Medical and NHS Innovation Accelerator Fellow said: “Through our partnership with Leeds Teaching Hospitals and NHS England, we aim to show that our technology Pi™ can help doctors rapidly identify men with prostate cancer. This has the potential to enable a more efficient care pathway, supporting a “one stop shop” for diagnosis, ultimately leading to improved outcomes for patients and cost savings”
The project is one of 7 innovative pilots backed by a £14 million investment aimed to improve the early detection of cancer, as part of the NHS Cancer Programme Innovation Open Call.