North east woman's aggressive cancer detected by AI
Last updated 10th Mar 2026
Breast cancer in an Aberdeen woman was picked up by Artificial Intelligence because it was too small to be detected by the human eye.
A study led by Aberdeen University of nearly 11,000 women saw detection rates more than 10% up, waiting times slashed from 14 to 3 days and the workload of NHS staff drop by 30 per cent.
Yvonne Cook was one of those who opted into the AI research when she went for a mammogram in May 2023.
In the waiting room she noticed a sign explaining that a project was underway involving artificial intelligence to assist in reviewing mammograms. Participation was optional.
"It didn’t occur to me for a minute to opt out,” she said. “I think it said that AI would be utilised as part of the research project to review the mammogram and I just thought, why not?"
A short time later, Yvonne – in her 60s - received a recall letter requesting additional imaging.
A tumour too small to be seen by the human eye
At the clinic, she learned the real reason for the recall: "When I arrived for that appointment, they said that it was the AI part of the analysis that had picked up something. I had a scan and the consultant confirmed that the AI diagnosis was correct, that there was a small, Grade 2 tumour there, too small to be detected by the human eye."
By the end of the treatment, in May 2024, it had become clear to her how pivotal AI had been: “Had the AI not picked up the small tumour when it did, then either it would have been discovered at my next routine mammogram three years later, or I would have picked it up when it had grown to a stage that I was able to feel it,” she said.
“There could be many other women who would be in the same situation as me. Being caught very early through AI and dealt with quickly and in a less invasive way is a huge bonus