AI cancer diagnosis 'might have saved my life'

A Farncombe woman's cancer was identified within hours thanks to a new AI tool that has been introduced by the Royal Surrey NHS Foundation Trust.

Dianne Covey, 69, was told that doctors had spotted something suspicious on her lungs after she reported having a persistent cough.

A diagnosis of lung cancer was confirmed after Ms Covey's chest X-ray was analysed by Annalise.ai, an AI tool which scans for areas of concern and advises clinicians of those requiring urgent review.

Ms Covey said: "I never really understood much about artificial intelligence but now I think that it might have saved my life. I am very grateful."

"When I went to the GP, I had a bad feeling that it was lung cancer and was really worried," she added.

"I feel like the speed of the diagnosis and the fact that my cancer has been caught in the early stages means that I have a second chance at life."

The retired hospital worker was the first patient at the trust to be diagnosed with lung cancer using this technology. Her cancer was found at Stage 1 and the prognosis is positive, said a hospital spokesperson.

The AI tool aids radiographers by prioritising which X-rays to assess first, replacing the previous approach whereby these images were reviewed in chronological order.

These reviews are now also more accurate because any tiny anomalies present on scans are detected by the software, said the hospital spokesperson.

This tool is being used across five trusts which are part of the Surrey, Sussex and Frimley Imaging Network - Royal Surrey, Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust, Ashford and St Peter's Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust and East Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust.

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