Doctors, scientists and researchers have created an artificial intelligence model that can accurately detect cancer, which they say could speed up the diagnosis of the disease and lead to faster treatment for patients.

Cancer is the leading cause of death worldwide. According to the World Health Organization, it kills about 10 million people a year, or almost one in six. However, in many cases, the disease can be cured if detected early.

An artificial intelligence tool developed by experts from the Royal Marsden NHS Foundation, the Institute for Cancer Research London and Imperial College London can determine whether tumors found on CT scans are malignant.

According to a study published in the Lancet eBioMedicine, the algorithm works more efficiently and effectively than existing methods.

“We hope that in the future this technology will improve early detection and potentially help in the treatment of cancer,” said Dr. Benjamin Hunter, clinical oncologist at Royal Marsden and clinical investigator at Imperial.

The team used CT scans of about 500 patients with large lung nodules to develop an artificial intelligence algorithm using radiology. The AI ​​model was then tested to see if it could accurately locate cancerous nodules.

The results showed that the AI ​​model can determine cancer risk with significant accuracy.

“According to these initial results, our model appears to accurately identify cancerous large nodules in the lungs,” Hunter said.

The AI ​​model could also help doctors make faster decisions for patients with abnormal tumors, which are currently considered moderate risk.

The team stressed that the Libra study, supported by the Royal Marsden Cancer Charity, the National Institute for Health and Care Research, RM Partners and Cancer Research UK, is still in its early stages. Further testing will be required before the model can be implemented in health care systems.

According to the Guardian