This could save many lives.
Detecting early-stage breast cancer through mammograms is challenging, but recent advancements in technology may improve detection. According to a study published in the Journal of Biophotonics, researchers in Scotland are using artificial intelligence combined with advanced laser analysis to identify changes in blood that could indicate the early stages of breast cancer.
Andy Downes, the lead author of the study and a senior lecturer in engineering at the University of Edinburgh, stated that innovations like these have the potential to save lives by detecting cancer at stages when it is more treatable. He emphasized that many cancer deaths result from late-stage diagnoses.
The study involved analyzing 24 blood samples, half from breast cancer patients and half from healthy individuals. Researchers used Raman spectroscopy to examine the blood’s plasma with laser beams, allowing them to detect subtle chemical changes that indicate the presence of cancer. AI was then employed to interpret these findings quickly and accurately.
The new method proved to be 98% effective in identifying stage 1a breast cancers in this small study and 90% effective in distinguishing between the four major subtypes of breast cancer. Early identification of cancer types simplifies treatment decisions and improves survival rates.
Downes noted that while the findings are preliminary, they suggest broader applications beyond breast cancer. The key to long-term survival is early diagnosis, and this technology could eventually be used to screen for multiple types of cancer once more data is collected and analyzed.
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