UK Launches World's Largest AI Trial for Breast Cancer Screening

UK Launches AI Trial for Early Detection of Breast Cancer

EDITH Trial Funding: GBP 11 million from the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR). The UK's NHS is launching the world-leading trial of artificial intelligence (AI) to detect breast cancer earlier, which could lead to faster diagnosis of the disease. Nearly 700,000 women across the country will take part in a trial to test how cutting-edge AI tools can be used to catch breast cancer cases earlier, the Department of Health and Social Care announced on February 4, 2025. Also Read: Google Cloud's AI Helps Create Self-Healing Asphalt for Sustainable UK Roads To mark World Cancer Day on Monday, the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) announced the trial and confirmed that it is developing a new dedicated cancer plan to enhance diagnosis and treatment. "Cutting-edge artificial intelligence trial to transform cancer care, helping radiologists catch breast cancer earlier," the UK Government said, noting, "Thirty testing sites across the country will be enhanced with the digital AI technologies, ready to invite women already booked in for routine screenings on the NHS to take part in the trial." Also Read: European Union Says Its AI Investment Is Only 4 Percent Compared to US The technology will assist radiologists in screening patients to identify changes in breast tissue that show possible signs of cancer and refer them for further investigations if required. Currently, two specialists review each mammogram. If proved successful, this technology will enable one specialist to complete the same mammogram screening process. "If the trial is successful, it could free up hundreds of radiologists and other specialists across the country to see more patients, tackle rising cancer rates, save more lives and cut waiting lists," the UK government said. The EDITH trial (Early Detection using Information Technology in Health) is backed by GBP 11 million of government support via the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR). Experts, including Lucy Chappell, Chief Scientific Adviser at DHSC, hailed the trial saying, "This landmark trial could lead to a significant step forward in the early detection of breast cancer, offering women faster, more accurate diagnoses when it matters most." Science and Technology Secretary, Peter Kyle, added, "Delivering on our AI Opportunities Action Plan, we are going to use AI to repair broken public services and drive forward our Plan for Change. Trials like this illustrate exactly the impact we know the technology can have - improving lives and in this case, saving them." Also Read: UK Prime Minister Unveils Plan to Make Britain World Leader in AI The UK aims to transform its approach through AI-driven innovation, promising faster diagnoses, improved treatment access, and ultimately, more lives saved. This follows the AI Opportunities Action Plan, which the UK recently announced to become an AI superpower - a plan the government says has already attracted over BGP 14 billion in investment since launching last month.

NHS to launch world's biggest trial of AI breast cancer diagnosis

If successful, the scheme could speed up testing and reduce radiologists' workload by around half The NHS is launching the world's biggest trial of artificial intelligence to detect breast cancer, which could lead to faster diagnosis of the disease. AI will be deployed to analyse two-thirds of at least 700,000 mammograms done in England over the next few years to see if it is as accurate and reliable at reading scans as a radiologist. If it proves successful, hospitals may no longer need to use two radiologists to study every mammogram for signs of breast cancer - the "second reader" system designed to ensure nothing is missed. Instead, it may be safe to have just one radiologist reading the scan, with AI offering a second opinion. If that happens, it would free up many specialist doctors to do other work - and shorten the time patients have to wait to hear the outcome of diagnostic tests such as X-rays and MRIs. The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) unveiled the trial, alongside confirmation that it is drawing up a new dedicated cancer plan to improve diagnosis and treatment, to mark World Cancer Day on Monday. A previous smaller study of AI and breast cancer in Sweden in 2023, involving about 80,000 women, found that AI is safe to use, can reduce radiologists' workload by around half and does not lead to an increase in "false positives" - erroneous detections of symptoms of the disease. In the new trial, five different sorts of AI will read about 462,000 of the 700,000 mammograms done at 30 breast cancer screening centres, starting later this year. The other 238,000 scans will be read in the usual way by two radiologists and the two sets of results compared. "This landmark trial could lead to a significant step forward in the early detection of breast cancer, offering women faster, more accurate diagnoses when it matters most," said Prof Lucy Chappell, the DHSC's chief scientific adviser and chief executive of the National Institute for Health and Care Research, which is funding the £11m study. Samantha Harrison, the head of strategic evidence at Cancer Research UK, said: "More cancer cases are diagnosed every year, and innovations like this could help reduce pressure on NHS staff and cut waiting lists. We need more research to understand how AI could help with cancer screening, so it's fantastic to see the UK government funding this trial." Prof Katharine Halliday, the president of the Royal College of Radiologists, said AI has "immense potential" to help doctors manage the growing demand for diagnostic tests, cancer care and the NHS as a whole. "However, while AI holds great promise, it also carries major risks", she added, acknowledging concerns that AI algorithms would need to be very carefully designed so they produce equally reliable results for different groups of women regardless of their ethnic background. She also voiced concern that, while the trial is not due to produce results for several years, the longstanding shortfall in consultants in the NHS is expected to reach 40% by 2028. Wes Streeting, the health secretary, said he will publish a detailed national cancer plan that is intended to "unleash Britain's potential as a world leader in saving lives from this deadly disease". The Guardian disclosed in September that he was considering doing so, in a break from the Conservatives' controversial decision to publish a "major conditions strategy", covering all the major killers, instead of separate strategies for specific diseases.

AI could drive big increase in number and speed of women being treated for breast cancer

Almost 700,000 women are expected to take part in a trial, with some 30 testing sites across the country being enhanced with AI technology. A trial using artificial intelligence (AI) in breast cancer screening could lead to a dramatic rise in the number of patients being treated. At present, two radiologists are needed to look at the images from mammograms to ensure accuracy. It is hoped that the AI being trialled will allow one to complete the process on their own, freeing up others to see more patients. Almost 700,000 women are expected to take part in the research, the government has announced. Those already booked in for routine NHS screenings will be invited to join the £11m Early Detection using Information Technology in Health (Edith) trial. Some 30 testing sites across the country will be enhanced with AI technology. About 55,000 women and 400 men are diagnosed with breast cancer each year in the UK, according to Breast Cancer Now. Dr Katharine Halliday, president of the Royal College of Radiologists, said AI could have a "major impact on radiology" given the "volume and complexity of breast screening". However, she said it was a "rigorous study" and results would "take time". "With a projected 40% shortfall in consultant radiologists by 2028, the need to build radiology capacity remains urgent," Dr Halliday added. Claire Rowney, chief executive of Breast Cancer Now, said any changes to the breast screening programme must be supported by evidence showing that "any new innovation or tool is safe and effective for women". Read more: Sheffield school stabbing victim named Kate shares new portrait taken by Prince Louis The government is also requesting evidence to help shape a national cancer plan. The idea is to find ways to transform how the disease is treated and therefore reduce the number of deaths. It is hoped that research, diagnosis, screening, treatment and prevention will all be improved. There will also be specific measures for rarer forms of the disease, including those that affect children. Professor Peter Johnson, national clinical director for cancer, said: "The NHS is diagnosing more cancers at an early stage than ever before - when treatment is most likely to be effective - but we know we need to accelerate progress further. "A national cancer plan will give us the chance to do just that - bringing in new ideas, helping us make best practise, normal practise - and ensure the NHS is at the cutting edge of new cancer developments and innovations in the future." Peter Kyle, the science and technology secretary, said: "Catching cancer weeks earlier could be the difference between life and death."

England to Launch Major AI Trial for Faster Breast Cancer Screening

AI breast cancer screening trial to be held across 30 NHS sites with 700,000 women, aiming to improve diagnosis times and efficiency. England is set to launch one of the world's largest AI trials for breast cancer screening, involving nearly 700,000 women across 30 NHS sites. Starting in April 2025, the £11 million Edith trial will test whether AI can speed up diagnoses and reduce radiologists' workload. With the NHS facing a radiologist shortage and growing screening demands, the trial aims to determine if AI can enhance efficiency without compromising accuracy. Five AI systems will be used for testing in thirty NHS facilities. The research aims to validate if artificial intelligence can help radiologists read mammograms. Such a move would enable radiologists to handle more intricate medical situations while cutting down patient waiting time.