AI pilot launched in North East Essex to help with early cancer detection
The aim is to help diagnose upper gastrointestinal cancers earlier and improve survival rates
A new pilot project using artificial intelligence (AI) to help identify individuals at risk of certain cancers has launched in North East Essex.
Upper gastrointestinal cancers- including oesophagus, stomach, and pancreas—are notoriously difficult to diagnose early, contributing to poor survival rates.
The approach is a collaboration between NHS Suffolk and North East Essex Integrated Care Board (ICB), AstraZeneca, C the Signs, Health Innovation East, and GP Primary Choice.
In England, the majority of oesophageal and stomach cancers are diagnosed at a late stage due to vague early symptoms, and this pilot aims to shift diagnosis to an earlier stage, increasing chances of survival.
The pilot uses technology, developed by NHS doctors, to analyse patients' electronic health records and personal data to identify those at increased risk of upper gastrointestinal cancers.
Identified patients will receive invitations via text message to complete a digital assessment of their symptoms and risk factors.
Following this, patients may undergo further diagnostic procedures such as capsule sponge testing, CT scans, or urgent cancer assessments.
This programme represents the first use of AI in England to scan health records within primary care for early cancer detection.
Dr Peter Holloway, GP Cancer Lead for Suffolk and North East Essex ICB, emphasized the project's focus on expanding the scope to include all upper gastrointestinal cancers and improve early detection: “We have developed unique and extensive local experience in community capsule sponge testing to improve diagnosis of oesophageal cancer. This project builds on our previous work but extends the scope to include all upper gastrointestinal cancers, including stomach and pancreas.
“By using a population health management approach developed within the ICB and introducing AI into patient self-assessment of those identified at increased risk, we hope to increase early cancer detection and thereby improve outcomes for cancers which can currently have a poor prognosis. This is one of the key priorities for the ICB and aligns with the new National Cancer Plan.”