A healthcare technology company has announced that its AI software can more accurately assess the extent of prostate cancer compared to traditional methods used by doctors. Avenda Health conducted a study involving ten physicians who evaluated 50 prostate cancer cases each. The results indicated that Avenda’s Unfold AI software achieved an impressive accuracy rate of 84.7% in detecting cancer, while the doctors’ manual assessments ranged between 67.2% and 75.9%.
This study, conducted in collaboration with UCLA Health and published in the Journal of Urology, also highlighted the significant improvements in cancer size predictions when using AI for contouring. The software provided 45 times more accurate and consistent predictions compared to traditional methods.
Dr. Shyam Natarajan, the study’s senior author and a urology, surgery, and bioengineering assistant adjunct professor at UCLA, noted that the use of AI tends to enhance both the accuracy and consistency of doctors’ assessments, leading to more aligned conclusions among practitioners when utilizing AI assistance.
While doctors typically rely on MRIs to evaluate tumor sizes, some tumors are “MRI-invisible,” presenting challenges in assessment. Dr. Wayne Brisbane, a urology assistant professor at UCLA’s David Geffen School of Medicine, explained that AI technology can help identify issues that MRIs may overlook. He emphasized the potential of AI to deliver more effective and personalized treatment options for patients, as treatments can be tailored more closely to individual needs.
Highlighting the impact of AI in healthcare, Avenda Health’s CEO, Dr. Natarajan, expressed pride in having such innovations recognized by the American Medical Association (AMA) and validated through this research.
Prostate cancer remains a significant health concern in the U.S., with statistics from the American Cancer Society indicating that approximately 1 in 8 men will receive a prostate cancer diagnosis at some point in their lives, and 1 in 44 men will succumb to the disease. This year alone, it’s projected that there will be 299,010 new cases and 35,250 deaths from prostate cancer in the U.S.
In contemplating the future of AI in healthcare, this innovation represents a remarkable stride towards enhancing cancer diagnosis and treatment. The integration of AI tools not only promises to support medical professionals but also potentially saves lives by improving the precision of cancer care, ensuring that patients receive the most effective treatment tailored to their unique circumstances. As AI technology continues to evolve, the hope is that it will lead to significant advancements in the battle against cancer, fostering a healthier tomorrow for many.