An AI healthcare company has announced that its software can outperform human doctors in accurately detecting the extent of prostate cancer. According to a recent study conducted by Avenda Health in collaboration with UCLA Health, the company’s Unfold AI software achieved an impressive accuracy rate of 84.7% in identifying prostate cancer. In contrast, human physicians demonstrated varying accuracy levels ranging from 67.2% to 75.9% when assessing 50 different prostate cancer cases.
The findings, published in the Journal of Urology, further highlighted that the use of AI-assisted cancer contouring allowed for predictions of tumor size to be 45 times more precise and consistent when using AI compared to traditional methods.
Shyam Natarajan, an assistant adjunct professor at UCLA and senior author of the study, emphasized that AI assistance not only improved accuracy but also enhanced consistency among doctors, leading to greater agreement in diagnoses.
Despite the common reliance on MRI imaging to evaluate tumor size, Dr. Wayne Brisbane, an assistant professor of urology at UCLA, noted that some tumors are “MRI-invisible,” and here, AI proves invaluable.
Brisbane expressed hope that AI’s integration into cancer treatment could facilitate more effective and personalized patient care, tailoring treatments to meet individual needs more successfully. He highlighted AI’s potential to exceed human capabilities in some aspects of medical diagnosis.
Avenda Health’s CEO, Dr. Shyam Natarajan, shared the excitement surrounding the validation of such innovations through research findings and recognition by the American Medical Association (AMA).
Prostate cancer remains a significant public health concern in the U.S., with approximately one in eight men diagnosed during their lifetimes. This year alone, there are estimated to be around 299,010 new prostate cancer cases, with 35,250 anticipated fatalities from the disease, according to the American Cancer Society.
This study represents a hopeful advancement in prostate cancer detection, illustrating how AI technology can support medical professionals and ultimately lead to improved patient outcomes. As integration of AI in healthcare continues to grow, we can anticipate more breakthroughs that could enhance diagnostic accuracy and treatment efficacy.