An AI healthcare company claims its software can more accurately determine the extent of prostate cancer compared to traditional methods used by doctors. Avenda Health recently released a study featuring ten doctors assessing 50 prostate cancer cases each. The results demonstrated that Avenda’s Unfold AI technology achieved an accuracy rate of 84.7% in detecting cancer, while doctors’ manual evaluations ranged between 67.2% and 75.9%.
The study, conducted in collaboration with UCLA Health and published in the Journal of Urology, also highlighted that leveraging AI for cancer contouring significantly improved estimates of tumor size, with predictions being 45 times more precise and consistent when AI assistance was employed compared to without it.
Dr. Shyam Natarajan from UCLA, who is also the senior author of the study, noted that the integration of AI made doctors not only more accurate but also fostered greater agreement among them during assessments. He emphasized the challenge of identifying certain tumors through MRI scans, describing some as “MRI-invisible.” AI technology provides a solution for cases where traditional imaging falls short.
Dr. Wayne Brisbane, another researcher involved, underscored the potential of AI in transforming cancer treatment, allowing for more personalized and effective patient care tailored to individual needs. He indicated that AI’s capabilities can surpass human limitations in this context.
Dr. Shyam Natarajan, the CEO of Avenda Health, expressed excitement about the validation of this innovation through research and recognition by the American Medical Association (AMA).
In the United States, prostate cancer remains a significant health concern, with approximately 1 in 8 men expected to receive a diagnosis within their lifetime, and 1 in 44 men facing a fatal outcome. The American Cancer Society forecasts nearly 299,010 new prostate cancer cases this year, with an estimated 35,250 resulting in death.
This advancement in AI technology is not just a leap in medical diagnostics; it holds promise for improving patient outcomes and ensuring that care is optimized for individual circumstances. The results of such studies pave the way for future innovations in healthcare that can save lives and enhance treatment effectiveness.