AI and Laser Technology Show Promise in Early Breast Cancer Detection
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Could AI Plus Lasers Help Catch Very Early Breast Cancers?
WEDNESDAY, Dec. 26, 2025 (HealthDay News) -- Very early-stage breast cancers are notoriously tough to spot via mammograms, but new technology might make detection easier. According to a new study published recently in the Journal of Biophotonics, Scottish researchers are combining AI with high-tech "laser analysis" to spot changes in circulating blood that could signal the earliest stages of breast tumors. Innovations like these could end up saving cancer patients' lives, said lead study author Andy Downes, a senior lecturer in engineering at the University of Edinburgh in Scotland. "Most deaths from cancer occur following a late-stage diagnosis after symptoms become apparent, so a future screening test for multiple cancer types could find these at a stage where they can be far more easily treated," Downes noted in a university news release. The small study involved 24 blood samples: 12 obtained from breast cancer patients and 12 from healthy people. The new technology involves subjecting the blood's plasma to laser beam analysis (a technology called Raman spectroscopy) and then using a device called a spectrometer to analyze the ways in which laser light interacts with the blood. As Downes' team explained, even tiny shifts in the chemical make-up of cells and tissues under spectroscopy can provide clues to where cancer is present. AI is then used to help quickly and accurately interpret the findings. The result: In this small study, at least, the new technology was 98% effective in spotting stage 1a breast cancers, the very earliest stage. Beyond that, the strategy was 90% effective in differentiating between the 4 major subtypes of breast cancer. Knowing the exact type of cancer a person has, at a very early stage, makes decisions around treatment easier and could save lives. Downes explained that the findings are still early, but could have implications that reach far beyond breast cancer. "Early diagnosis is key to long-term survival, and we finally have the technology required," Downes concluded. "We just need to apply it to other cancer types and build up a database, before this can be used as a multi-cancer test." More information Find out more about breast cancer screening at the American Cancer Society. SOURCE: University of Edinburgh, news release, Dec. 13, 2024
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Could AI plus lasers help catch very early breast cancers?
Very early-stage breast cancers are notoriously tough to spot via mammograms, but new technology might make detection easier. According to a new study published recently in the Journal of Biophotonics, Scottish researchers are combining AI with high-tech "laser analysis" to spot changes in circulating blood that could signal the earliest stages of breast tumors. Innovations like these could end up saving cancer patients' lives, said lead study author Andy Downes, a senior lecturer in engineering at the University of Edinburgh in Scotland. "Most deaths from cancer occur following a late-stage diagnosis after symptoms become apparent, so a future screening test for multiple cancer types could find these at a stage where they can be far more easily treated," Downes noted in a university news release. The small study involved 24 blood samples: 12 obtained from breast cancer patients and 12 from healthy people. The new technology involves subjecting the blood's plasma to laser beam analysis (a technology called Raman spectroscopy) and then using a device called a spectrometer to analyze the ways in which laser light interacts with the blood. As Downes' team explained, even tiny shifts in the chemical make-up of cells and tissues under spectroscopy can provide clues to where cancer is present. AI is then used to help quickly and accurately interpret the findings. The result: In this small study, at least, the new technology was 98% effective in spotting stage 1a breast cancers, the very earliest stage. Beyond that, the strategy was 90% effective in differentiating between the 4 major subtypes of breast cancer. Knowing the exact type of cancer a person has, at a very early stage, makes decisions around treatment easier and could save lives. Downes explained that the findings are still early, but could have implications that reach far beyond breast cancer. "Early diagnosis is key to long-term survival, and we finally have the technology required," Downes concluded. "We just need to apply it to other cancer types and build up a database, before this can be used as a multi-cancer test."
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Scottish researchers combine AI with laser analysis to detect early-stage breast cancers in blood samples, achieving 98% accuracy in a small study.
Innovative Approach to Early Breast Cancer Detection
Researchers at the University of Edinburgh have developed a promising new technique that combines artificial intelligence (AI) with laser technology to detect very early-stage breast cancers. This innovative approach could potentially revolutionize cancer screening and improve patient outcomes
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.The Technology Behind the Breakthrough
The new method utilizes a combination of advanced technologies:
- Raman spectroscopy: This technique involves subjecting blood plasma to laser beam analysis.
- Spectrometer: This device analyzes how laser light interacts with the blood.
- Artificial Intelligence: AI is employed to quickly and accurately interpret the findings from the spectroscopy analysis.
Dr. Andy Downes, the lead study author and senior lecturer in engineering at the University of Edinburgh, explains that even minute changes in the chemical composition of cells and tissues under spectroscopy can provide crucial clues to the presence of cancer
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.Promising Results from Initial Study
The research team conducted a small study involving 24 blood samples:
- 12 samples from breast cancer patients
- 12 samples from healthy individuals
The results of this preliminary study were highly encouraging:
- 98% effectiveness in detecting stage 1a breast cancers, the earliest stage.
- 90% accuracy in differentiating between the four major subtypes of breast cancer.
These findings suggest that the new technology could significantly improve early detection rates and help tailor treatment plans more effectively
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Potential Impact on Cancer Diagnosis and Treatment
Dr. Downes emphasizes the importance of early diagnosis in improving long-term survival rates for cancer patients. He states, "Most deaths from cancer occur following a late-stage diagnosis after symptoms become apparent, so a future screening test for multiple cancer types could find these at a stage where they can be far more easily treated"
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.The ability to detect cancer at its earliest stages and identify specific subtypes could have far-reaching implications:
- Earlier intervention and treatment
- Improved survival rates
- More personalized treatment plans
- Potential application to other types of cancer
Future Prospects and Challenges
While the results are promising, the researchers acknowledge that the study is still in its early stages. Dr. Downes suggests that the next steps involve:
- Applying the technology to other types of cancer
- Building a comprehensive database of results
The ultimate goal is to develop a multi-cancer test that could revolutionize cancer screening and diagnosis
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.As this technology continues to develop, it has the potential to significantly impact the field of oncology and improve outcomes for cancer patients worldwide.
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