Men with suspected prostate cancer will be able to get an NHS diagnosis within a day as part of a new trial.
Artificial intelligence will be used to interpret MRI scans, meaning problematic legions can be detected in a matter of minutes.
Should a scan conclude there is a high risk of cancer, it will be sent to a radiologist for priority review – with the patient booked in for a biopsy that same day.
NHS England says the technology will be trialled at up to 15 hospitals to begin with, and this approach could save men months of waiting.
At present, men with suspected prostate cancer are meant to receive an MRI and a biopsy within a week of being referred by their GP.
However, waiting times can be longer depending on the capacity of radiologists.
Tech ‘revolutionising’ NHS
Health Secretary Wes Streeting said prostate cancer is a “devastating disease” – and long waits for test results, diagnosis, and treatment are “needlessly distressing” for patients.
“By harnessing the power of technology we are revolutionising our NHS and tackling this, with AI able to deliver same-day prostate diagnoses, delivering better outcomes for patients and fast support for doctors,” he added.
NHS England’s national clinical director for cancer, Professor Peter Johnson, said the health service is “really excited by the potential of artificial intelligence”.
He explained: “As with all cancers, speed is crucial – the quicker the diagnosis, the sooner treatment can begin and help give the best chance of treatment being successful for patients and their families.”
The trial could be a “game changer”, he said.
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Cases on the rise
Figures from Prostate Cancer UK suggest about one in eight men will have this disease in their lifetime.
A total of 58,218 men were diagnosed with prostate cancer in England last year – an increase of almost 9% compared with 2023.
Earlier this year, former Sky News presenter Dermot Murnaghan revealed he had been diagnosed with stage four prostate cancer – and urged men to insist on getting tested if they are in a high-risk group.
Meanwhile, rugby legend Sir Ian McGeechan has called on the government to introduce a national screening programme.
Amy Rylance from Prostate Cancer UK said: “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.”
