Artificial intelligence (AI) is changing how suspected prostate
and breast cancer is being diagnosed in Wales.
Following successful trials analysing prostate biopsies, which
saw a 13% increase in cancer detection, the IBEX Galen AI
platform is now being trialled in suspected breast cancer cases
at Betsi Cadwaladr Health Board.
Funded through the Welsh Government’s Innovation Fund and
supported through the work of the Small Business Research
Initiative (SBRI) Centre of Excellence, the AI tool
automatically analyses digital images of pathology samples,
classifying them through a traffic light system, as having a
higher or lower likelihood of cancer, prior to a review by
clinicians.
By classifying the images, the most urgent cases are
prioritised, and patient outcomes improved through faster
diagnosis and potentially having to undergo fewer biopsies and
additional testing.
The IBEX AI platform is now undergoing further testing within
six health boards with the ambition to make this technology
part of routine prostate cancer testing supporting clinical
teams to and assess its use in the diagnosis of additional
cancers.
The success of the IBEX AI project has been recognised at this
year’s UK innovate Awards where it has been announced as a
finalist in the Innovation Spread Category.
The use of AI and similar technology is just one example of how
digital services are transforming health care in Wales. To
build on the work already underway, and to ensure Wales
continues to lead on digital health care, Health Minister
Eluned Morgan today launched the Digital and Data Strategy for
Health and Social Care.
This strategy sets out the expectations to health boards and
trusts, together with Social Care providers, on how digital and
data should be used to advance the quality of health and social
care services, improve the patient experience, and empower
people to manage their health.
As well as AI tools such as IBEX, other examples of how digital
is being used within NHS Wales and the types of innovation the
Digital and Data Strategy wants to encourage include; the NHS
Wales App, Welsh Ambulance Service’s Electronic Patient
Clinical Record, the Welsh Nursing Care Record and the Cancer
Informatics System.
The Minister for Health and Social Services, Eluned Morgan
said:
“By embracing new technologies we can transform how we interact
with the NHS, find new ways to save lives and increase
performance across health and social care. “Innovative and
effective use of data-driven …
… The IBEX system has shown real promise and the possibilities
of what this type of technology can do and how it could be used
in the future across a number of suspected cancers is an
exciting prospect.”
Dr Muhammad Aslam, consultant pathologist and Betsi Cadwaladr’s
clinical director of North Wales Diagnostic and Clinical
Support Services, said:
“I previously said the use of artificial intelligence for
diagnosis and prognosis of cancers puts us ‘at the crossroads
of an exciting new world’. “I firmly believe this and it is
wonderful to see the use of, …
… more accurate predictions of prognoses for patients with
various cancers. “I feel very proud Welsh Government recognises
our achievements and I’m grateful of its continued support for
the work we are doing.”
