AI Saves Lives: Sheila Tooth's Breast Cancer Detected After Missed Routine Scan
- AI identified breast cancer in Sheila Tooth after an initial all-clear mammogram.
- The program analyzed over 12,000 mammograms, leading to the re-evaluation of nearly 10% due to missed detection.
- This advancement in technology aims to enhance early detection of cancers and improve patient care outcomes.
Sheila Tooth, a 68-year-old woman from Littlehampton, West Sussex, was diagnosed with breast cancer after a mammogram that initially indicated a clear result. The University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust, which has been integrating artificial intelligence into their breast cancer screening process, utilized AI software to analyze over 12,000 mammograms. During this analysis, it was found that nearly 10% required re-evaluation due to potential undetected cancers. Five women, including Tooth, were subsequently confirmed to have breast cancer. Dr. Olga Strukowska, a consultant radiologist, emphasized the benefits of AI in improving cancer detection accuracy and reducing missed diagnoses. The program aims to enhance early cancer detection, ultimately improving patient outcomes while maintaining high standards of care. UHSussex plans to take part in a larger national trial to further refine AI usage in mammography screenings.