An AI healthcare company, Avenda Health, claims that its software offers a more accurate detection of prostate cancer compared to traditional methods used by doctors. A recent study conducted with ten medical professionals assessing 50 prostate cancer cases revealed that Avenda’s Unfold AI software achieved an accuracy rate of 84.7%. In contrast, the doctors’ manual evaluations ranged from 67.2% to 75.9%.
Collaborating with UCLA Health, the study was published in the Journal of Urology. It highlighted that integrating AI into cancer contouring significantly improved predictions related to tumor size, making the assessments 45 times more accurate and consistent.
Shyam Natarajan, an assistant adjunct professor of urology, surgery, and bioengineering at UCLA and senior author of the study, commented that AI assistance enhanced doctors’ accuracy and their consensus when evaluating cases.
Dr. Wayne Brisbane, an assistant professor of urology at UCLA, noted that while MRI scans are commonly used to gauge tumor size, certain tumors may not be visible through this imaging technique—this is where AI excels. He emphasized that incorporating AI into cancer treatment can yield more effective and personalized care, as the technology can surpass human limitations.
Dr. Shyam Natarajan, CEO of Avenda Health, expressed pride in having the innovation validated through research, gaining recognition from the American Medical Association (AMA).
Statistics indicate that across the United States, approximately 1 in 8 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetime, and 1 in 44 will succumb to the disease. It is projected that there will be 299,010 new cases of prostate cancer in the U.S. this year, with 35,250 resulting in fatalities.
This technological advancement in detecting prostate cancer presents a hopeful future for improving patient outcomes. By harnessing the capabilities of AI, healthcare providers can make strides in personalized medicine, offering tailored treatments that significantly enhance the chances of successful recovery and management of this pervasive disease.