- Researchers have designed a simple, cheap experimental test for diagnosing cancer.
- The test requires just a tiny dried blood spot.
- The researchers found that it has a sensitivity of 82–100% and takes just a few minutes.
- This approach may be particularly useful for people in low-income countries.
Scientists in China have created a dried blood spot test to diagnose cancer. In the new study, they focused on pancreatic, gastric, and colorectal cancer.
The system, which uses a form of artificial intelligence (AI) called machine learning, is significantly quicker and more cost-effective than current whole blood tests and other diagnostic techniques.
According to their recent paper in
Today, virtually everything is powered by AI, for better or worse. But while AI might be stealing people’s jobs and creating terrible “art,” its powers can also be used for good.
Medical researchers are busy wielding the cutting edge of AI to help us understand and manage disease.
One part of this voyage of discovery is identifying innovative ways to diagnose medical conditions. This is important work — catching diseases earlier generally leads to better outcomes.
Because some cancers are difficult to diagnose and lack reliable blood markers, some experts are investigating whether AI can help.
Currently, accurate diagnosis often requires expensive facilities, equipment, and transport. For instance, whole blood needs temperature-controlled storage in transit, which comes at a price.
As the authors of a new paper write, “Cost-effectiveness is key in disease screening.”
These costs are an additional burden for developing countries and poorer regions, where many cancer cases are missed due to a lack of access to healthcare. Because of this, some experts believe that by 2030,
Some diseases…
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