An AI healthcare firm, Avenda Health, has unveiled promising results indicating that its Unfold AI software outperforms human doctors in accurately detecting prostate cancer. In a recent study encompassing ten physicians who evaluated 50 prostate cancer cases each, the AI system achieved an impressive 84.7% accuracy rate. In contrast, the accuracy of the doctors’ manual assessments ranged between 67.2% and 75.9%.
The research, conducted in collaboration with UCLA Health and published in the Journal of Urology, demonstrated that AI-assisted cancer contouring significantly enhances predictions of tumor size. The results indicated that predictions were 45 times more accurate when AI was employed compared to traditional methods.
Shyam Natarajan, an assistant adjunct professor in urology, surgery, and bioengineering at UCLA and senior author of the study, highlighted that the integration of AI not only increased doctors’ accuracy but also fostered greater consistency in their assessments.
Dr. Wayne Brisbane, an assistant professor of urology at UCLA’s David Geffen School of Medicine, explained that while MRIs are typically used to gauge tumor size, some tumors are not visible through this medium. AI proves to be a valuable tool in identifying these “MRI-invisible” tumors, offering an advantage over conventional imaging techniques. He also noted that AI’s capabilities extend beyond human limitations, leading to more tailored and effective patient care.
Avenda Health’s CEO, Dr. Natarajan, expressed optimism about the validation of such innovations in the medical field, especially with recognition from the American Medical Association (AMA).
Prostate cancer is a significant health concern, with around 1 in 8 men in the U.S. expected to receive a diagnosis during their lifetime, and 1 in 44 men predicted to succumb to this disease. This year alone, approximately 299,010 new cases of prostate cancer are expected in the U.S., resulting in an estimated 35,250 deaths.
This groundbreaking use of AI in healthcare not only enhances diagnostic accuracy but also represents a significant step towards personalized medicine, offering hope for improved outcomes in prostate cancer treatment. By leveraging advanced technologies, the medical community may pave the way for more innovative and efficient approaches to combatting cancer and ultimately saving lives.