The NHS is initiating a groundbreaking trial that utilizes artificial intelligence to provide same-day diagnoses for prostate cancer. This pilot program will assess 10,000 MRI scans across as many as 15 hospitals nationwide and may be implemented across the country if the results are favorable.
The AI technology is designed to analyze MRI scans of men who are suspected of having prostate cancer, enabling the identification of lesions within minutes. Should the AI determine that a scan indicates a high likelihood of cancer, the results will be expedited to a radiologist for urgent review, and the patient will be scheduled for a biopsy on the same day.
Currently, patients who are referred to specialists for suspected prostate cancer typically face a wait of up to a week for both an MRI and a biopsy, depending on the availability of radiologists. Wes Streeting, the Health Secretary, emphasized the emotional toll that prolonged waiting times can have on patients and their families, stating, “Prostate cancer is a devastating disease impacting thousands of men every year – and what makes this already incredibly challenging situation worse for these men are long waits for test results, diagnosis and treatment.” He continued, “By harnessing the power of technology we are revolutionizing our NHS and tackling this.”
Professor Peter Johnson, the national clinical director for cancer at NHS England, expressed optimism about the potential of AI to expedite cancer diagnosis. He remarked, “We”re really excited by the potential of artificial intelligence to speed up cancer diagnosis. We hope this trial of an AI-powered “one-day diagnostics” could be a game changer and help save men weeks of worry and uncertainty.”
According to Prostate Cancer UK, prostate cancer is the most prevalent cancer among men, with approximately one in eight men expected to be diagnosed with the disease during their lifetime. The National Prostate Cancer Audit reported that 58,218 men were diagnosed with prostate cancer in England in 2024, an increase from 53,462 in the previous year. Conversely, in Wales, diagnoses dropped from 2,551 in 2022 to 2,402 in 2023.
The AI tool, named Pi, was developed by Lucida Medical and is being introduced ahead of the Government”s National Cancer Plan, which is set to be released later this year. Amy Rylance, assistant director of health improvement at Prostate Cancer UK, noted that advancements in MRI scans and targeted biopsies have already enhanced the safety and accuracy of the diagnostic process within the NHS. She added, “The AI tool could represent a further step change, saving men prolonged anxiety and the bother of hospital trips, while also increasing capacity for our hard-working NHS workforce.”
