Prostate cancer discovery using AI could save thousands of lives

The world is experiencing a remarkable breakthrough in the fight against prostate cancer. Thanks to artificial intelligence, researchers have discovered two subtypes of this disease, paving the way towards more effective treatments and saving thousands of lives. This groundbreaking achievement offers hope to one in eight men affected by prostate cancer.

The study involved examining tumor samples from 159 patients to determine how their DNA changed over time. The findings show that prostate cancer is not just one type of disease, as previously believed. This discovery is a significant step towards personalized treatments, which could greatly improve the quality of life for patients and their families.

According to Professor Colin Cooper of the University of East Anglia, “with improved diagnosis and personalized treatments in the future, we hope that the findings will not only save lives but also aid researchers in other cancer fields in their understanding of other types of cancer.”

Prostate cancer is the most common form of cancer in British men, with 52,300 new cases identified and 12,000 deaths occurring each year. The symptoms of this disease do not appear until the prostate has grown so large that it affects the bladder, leading to a frequent need to urinate or difficulty urinating.

Although there is no screening program for prostate cancer in the UK, patients with symptoms are encouraged to see their GP. A digital rectal examination or a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) blood test may be performed. However, these tests are controversial because they can be unreliable. If signs of the disease are detected, an MRI scan is usually performed before patients undergo biopsies to confirm the cancer.

Previous research has shown that AI software can reduce NHS waiting lists by analyzing MRI scans and detecting the disease more accurately. With more precise diagnosis and customized treatments in the future, the findings of this study will not only save lives but also contribute to our understanding of other cancer types, making a significant impact on cancer research and treatment.