New Research Shows AI Can Help Fight Breast Cancer: Is It True? Let’s Uncover It Here!

Imagine a future where early detection of breast cancer is the norm, not the exception. Believe it or not, this future might be closer than you think, thanks to the revolutionary power of Artificial Intelligence (AI). New research shows AI can help fight breast cancer,  bringing new hope for early diagnosis, personalised treatment, and holistic patient management. 

Medical research generates vast data - genetic profiles, patient histories, mammograms and more. But what if we could process this data at a speed and precision surpassing human capabilities? This is where AI comes in! AI processes this data, revealing concealed arrangements and potential warnings that even the most skilled physician could miss. This amazing skill of processing massive amounts of data can benefit breast cancer patients. 

By recognising slight alterations in mammograms or inherited tendencies, AI has the potential to help with an earlier detection process—a key element in achieving effective therapy outcomes. Yet, its contribution does not end here. AI can assist in making treatment plans more personal, considering your medical past and genetic structure.

In this article, let's hear how this technology is shaping the future of breast cancer care around the globe!

Table Of Contents

1. About Breast Cancer

2. What Are The Stages Of Breast Cancer?

3. New Research Shows AI Can Help Fight Breast Cancer

4. Expert’s Advice 

5. The Final Say

6. FAQs

7. References

About Breast Cancer

When aberrant cells in breast tissue proliferate out of control and develop tumours, breast cancer results. These tumours can be invasive, spreading to other body parts, or non-invasive, staying confined to the breast. It's most common in women but can affect anyone with breast tissue. Early identification via screening and knowledge is essential for successful treatment and enhancing survival rates. Options for treatment consist of surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, and hormone therapy.

The World Health Organization (WHO) states that breast cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths among women, with over 2.3 million new cases reported each year. The fight against breast cancer involves early detection, accurate diagnosis, effective treatment, and continuous monitoring. While effective, traditional methods have limitations that AI technology is poised to overcome.

Also Read: Hina Khan Breast Cancer Diagnoses: How Can You Detect The Early Signs And Prevent The Deadly Disease?

What Are The Stages Of Breast Cancer?

Like other countries, India stages breast cancer using the TNM system, which was created by the American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC). The stages of breast cancer play a crucial role in forecasting the expected course and outcome of the disease as well as choosing the best course of treatment. The TNM system evaluates three main factors: Tumor size (T), lymph node involvement (N), and the presence of metastasis (M). Based on these factors, breast cancer is classified into stages 0 through IV.

Also Read: Benefits Of Yoga For Cancer Patients | ToneOp 

New Research Shows AI Can Help Fight Breast Cancer

The impact of technology on health and lifestyle is vast, and according to new research, AI can help fight breast cancer in the following ways:

1. Early Detection And Diagnosis

Early diagnosis is essential in the fight against breast cancer. The likelihood of survival and recovery increases with the early detection of the disease. Mammography is a screening method used to detect breast cancer. However, traditional mammography has limitations, including false positives and negative results, but not communicating on time can lead to unnecessary biopsies or missed diagnoses.

2. AI-Powered Mammography

Artificial intelligence algorithms show significant promise in improving the accuracy of mammograms. By analysing large amounts of image data, intelligent machines can detect patterns and abnormalities that may indicate cancer. Deep learning systems, for instance, can be trained to distinguish minute variations between benign and malignant tumours, therefore lowering the rates of false positives and negatives.

A study published in Nature demonstrated that an AI system developed by Google Health outperformed radiologists in detecting breast cancer from mammograms. The AI model reduced the false-positive rate by 5.7% and the false-negative rate by 9.4%, showcasing its potential to significantly enhance early detection.

3. Breast MRI And Ultrasound

AI is also used in other diagnostic tests, such as breast MRI, ultrasound, and mammography. This procedure is often used in conjunction with mammograms, especially in women with large breast tissue. Artificial intelligence can help interpret these complex images more accurately, helping radiologists make more accurate diagnoses.

4. Personalised Treatment Plans

One of the most essential benefits of intelligence in cancer treatment is the ability to personalise treatment plans. Every cancer patient is unique, and treatments for one person may not work for another. AI can analyse information from various sources, including genetic information, medical history, and treatment, to create treatment plans.

5. Genomic Analysis

Genomic analysis is important in understanding a cancer patient's unique characteristics. AI can process and interpret large volumes of genomic data to find genetic markers and mutations linked to cancer. This information can inform the selection of more effective treatments for individual patients.

6. Predicting Treatment Response

AI is also capable of forecasting a patient's reaction to various therapies. By analysing historical data from clinical trials and patient outcomes, AI models can identify patterns indicating which treatments will be successful. This predictive power can help oncologists make more informed decisions, improve treatment plans, and increase the chances of success.

7. Enhancing Surgical Precision

A common component of breast cancer treatment is surgery, whether it's a lumpectomy to remove the tumour or a mastectomy to remove the entire breast. The goal is to eliminate as many cancerous cells as possible while preserving healthy tissue. Artificial intelligence plays a role in improving surgical accuracy through technologies such as image-guided surgery and robotic surgery.

8. Image-Guided Surgery

AI-powered image analysis can provide doctors with instant guidance during surgery. For example, artificial intelligence can highlight cancer cells in scan images, helping surgeons decide which ones need removal. This decision reduces the risk of leaving behind cancer cells that can cause a recurrence.

9. AI And Drug Discovery

AI is revolutionising drug discovery by rapidly identifying drug users and predicting their outcomes. This strategy may shorten the time needed to create novel cancer and other illness treatments. AI-powered drug discovery has the potential to bring new therapies to market faster and benefit patients worldwide.

10. Personalised Vaccines

Research is ongoing to develop personalised vaccines for cancer patients, such as cervical cancer vaccines. The goal of these vaccinations is to boost the immune system of the patient so that it can identify and eliminate cancer cells. Artificial intelligence is crucial to detecting the distinctive traits of every cancer patient and creating vaccinations that specifically target those traits.

11. AI in Global Health

Artificial intelligence can be essential in improving cancer care in underserved areas. By providing suggestions about distant diagnosis and treatment, AI can assist in bringing close access to healthcare and ensure more women get timely care and efficient investigations, irrespective of their location.

Also Read: World Cancer Day 2024: Know Types, Symptoms, Causes And Prevention Measures 

Expert’s Advice 

Integrating artificial intelligence into cancer research and treatment is a game changer, offering new possibilities for early diagnosis, personalised treatment and better patient outcomes. Although challenges remain, the potential benefits are significant, and more excellent investments in AI technology and research will significantly impact the fight against cancer.

                                                                               Dt. Akshata Gandevikar

The Final Say

New research is showing that AI has great power to help in the battle against breast cancer. From finding it earlier to planning treatment that is personalised for each patient, AI provides a hopeful future. However, it's still early days. More studies are required to confirm its benefit and establish responsible usage within healthcare. But we can say for certain that the day isn’t far when AI will truly revolutionise health care and enhance the quality of life for people with chronic ailments!

FAQs

1. How AI can help in the fight against breast cancer?

AI has the ability to examine mammograms and other scans with an accuracy surpassing human capabilities, which could possibly result in earlier identification of problems, reduced false positives and treatment solutions tailored for each individual.

2. What is the AI tool for breast cancer?

Tools like Mia by Kheiron Medical and similar technologies analyse mammograms, ultrasounds, and MRIs. They can flag suspicious lesions that radiologists might miss, potentially leading to earlier detection.

3. What new research is being done on breast cancer?

Scientists are always seeking fresh ways to employ AI for cancer diagnosis, treatment and drug creation. This comprises using AI to examine genetic changes and forecasting how a patient might react to certain treatments.

4. Can AI help in cancer research?

Yes, AI can study large sets of patient data and medical records. Researchers can use this data to find patterns and create new therapies at a quicker pace than traditional methods.

References

• https://www.bcrf.org/blog/ai-breast-cancer-detection-screening/

• https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/3986-breast-cancer

• https://www.worldwidecancerresearch.org/news-opinion/2024/february/could-ai-cure-cancer/

• https://www.technologyreview.com/2020/01/03/238154/googles-ai-breast-cancer-screening-tool-is-learning-to-generalize-across-countries/

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