Breast Cancer

Mammograms have an 87% accuracy rate in female patients over the age of 50. While they are an essential tool for catching cancer in its earliest stages, there is plenty of room for improvement, as, in addition to missing some patients who have cancer, it has a 10% false positive rate.

Cancer screening trials are looking for ways to use AI to improve the accuracy of breast cancer screenings for women of all ages and walks of life. Some are focused on AI's ability to analyze large quantities of patient data. Automated analysis could identify women who need early screening before they turn 50 to catch cancer in its earliest stages. It could also be used to identify women who don't need screening until later in life. Other studies are looking at ways to use AI to analyze mammogram results to catch abnormalities that doctors can't see.

Colorectal Cancer

Colorectal cancer is one of the top three most common types of cancer in the United States, affecting men and women throughout the nation. Unfortunately, many people don't realize they have it until it's already spread to other organs, at which point it can be difficult, if not impossible, to cure.

Many colorectal cancer screening studies are focused on the use of liquid biopsy screening to detect colorectal cancer in its earliest stages. Liquid biopsies are highly sensitive and can catch cancer cells that other screening tools may miss. What's more, this type of testing would not only identify colorectal cancers in their earliest stages but also identify what type of cancer a person has and how it can be best treated. Some studies are also combining liquid biopsy screening trials with AI tools to improve the accuracy of treatment recommendations.

Prostate

Prostate cancer has a high survival rate, but only if it's caught before it spreads to other organs. Sadly, because this type of cancer doesn't cause severe symptoms, many men don't realize they have it until it's too late for treatment. What's more, current screening options can have negative side effects, and there is always the risk of false positives.

Researchers aiming to improve screening techniques are conducting trials involving the use of blood testing, genetic testing, and fast MRI scans. Each of these treatment options has potential, but more information is needed to develop screening tools that are both safe and accurate. Some studies are focused on large-scale data collection that can be used to determine which type of screening would be the best option for men of specific ages and from specific demographics. Once again, it's likely that AI would play a significant role in both data analysis and making treatment recommendations.

Cancer screening researchers are also testing ways in which doctors could make custom recommendations to patients based on patient history, genetics, and other information. Medical science has already identified specific genes, such as BRCA 1 and BRCA 2, that can increase the likelihood of a person developing cancer. Trials that identify other cancer-causing genes could be used to help doctors identify patients who need early and/or regular screening to catch breast, colorectal, prostate, ovarian, and pancreatic cancers before symptoms appear.

Cancer deaths are declining thanks to advances in care and treatment. Even so, improvements in screening capabilities have the potential to significantly lower the death rate even further. The earlier doctors catch cancer, the sooner and more easily they can treat and even eliminate it. Screening trials for some of the most common forms of cancer show a lot of promise as they aim to increase the accuracy of current screening tools and develop new ones that can not only catch cancer in its early stages but also give doctors the information needed to map out custom treatment plans.