In the past year, we have witnessed remarkable advances in cancer diagnosis with the help of AI technology, as more and more clinicians test, use and integrate AI assistants into everyday practice.
Skin cancer is no exception, and AI diagnostic tools are expected to be widely applied in this clinical field in the future.
What does AI assistance for skin cancer look like?
Dr. Ana Lepetit says a 2024 study led by Stanford researchers compared the performance of clinicians who diagnosed at least one case of skin cancer with and without the help of deep learning-based AI technology.
"In an experimental environment, clinicians without the help of AI achieved an average sensitivity of 74,8 percent, while clinicians with the help of AI achieved a sensitivity of about 81,1 percent. Interestingly, AI helped medical professionals at all levels, with the greatest improvement among non-dermatologists," says Lepetit, reports AI News.
AI can influence behavior change
According to statistics, the incidence of cancer is increasing among younger people.
According to a study published in BMJ Oncology, the number of people under the age of 50 diagnosed with cancer has increased by almost 80 percent in three decades. In the last decade, the incidence rate of melanoma, a skin cancer, has increased by almost two-fifths (38 percent), while Spain has seen a steady increase in incidence of 2,4 percent over that period.
"If detected early enough, skin cancer is easily treated and the prognosis is very good. However, busy lives and many responsibilities mean that fewer and fewer people choose to be screened, leading to delays in diagnosis and treatment, dramatically changing survival rates Those who do, often wait to see a doctor. In fact, a new Bupa survey, "Attitudes to Digital Health Care," shows that only 9 percent of people would go see a professional right away. it's worrying," says Lepetit.
However, the same survey found that this percentage would more than triple (33%) if people could assess their youth with the help of an AI app on their phone at a time that suits them.
"This indicates that emerging technology can significantly influence positive behavior change in health care and improve clinical outcomes of potentially serious diseases," Lepetit points out.
Bupa, a global healthcare company where Lepetit is Chief Medical Officer, is exploring the use of artificial intelligence to improve patient care and improve operational efficiency.
"Digital health care, together with AI technology, will play a key role in removing obstacles that prevent people from timely checking health problems such as youth, encouraging positive changes in behavior that can save lives," said Lepetit, among other things.
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