A breakthrough technology has been announced that could help assess the risk of womb cancer in women before undergoing invasive checks. The technology is based on an AI-powered blood test, which can detect biomarkers associated with the disease at a relatively low cost and without the need for invasive procedures.
Several NHS hospitals in England are set to begin using the new technology to identify women who may require further evaluation after experiencing heavy bleeding. According to a report by The Guardian, around 90,000 postmenopausal women in England are referred to GPs each year for womb cancer checks, with about 10,000 diagnosed annually. However, many of these cases can be prevented through early detection.
The AI blood test has the potential to significantly reduce the number of invasive checks required by women who have already undergone a negative test result. By identifying high-risk women earlier, doctors may be able to take targeted action and avoid unnecessary procedures, which can be costly and painful for patients. This technology could lead to improved patient outcomes and reduced healthcare costs in the long run.