NHS hospitals are set to use an artificial intelligence (AI) blood test to help assess women referred for possible womb cancer before invasive checks are carried out. According to The Guardian, around 90,000 postmenopausal women in England are referred by general practitioners each year for checks after experiencing heavy bleeding. About 10,000 women are diagnosed with womb cancer every year, but the process of diagnosing and treating this condition is often delayed.
The AI blood test uses machine learning algorithms to analyze blood samples from patients to detect abnormalities that may indicate womb cancer. The test has shown promising results in early detection, with a predictive accuracy rate of around 85%. This means that out of every 100 women who undergo the test, around 80 are diagnosed with womb cancer.
The use of AI blood tests like this can help reduce the number of invasive checks required for patients. By identifying potential cases of womb cancer before they become more serious, doctors may be able to detect abnormalities earlier and take a more targeted approach to treatment. This could lead to improved patient outcomes and reduced healthcare costs.