It is difficult to detect lung cancer in its earliest stages because early stage lung cancer have no symptoms and is not detected with a chest x-ray. That is why it is so important for new and innovative ways to develop to help with the early detection of lung cancer. As the world becomes more technologically advanced so major strides are taking place in the medical world. We look at a few new studies that are incorporating new method for lung cancer detection. An AI-driven computer program is used to analyse tissue samples to diagnose two of the most common types of lung cancer. This AI program creates a map of thousands of tiles to analyse the tissue and is being used to detect cancer-related genetic mutations.
It does this by scanning the images of tissue slices and is able to detect the different normal lung tissue from the two most common forms of lung cancer.
This groundbreaking new method has an almost perfect accuracy and is far advanced as pathologists can struggle distinguishing the two types of lung cancer.
Doctor Narges Razavian said: “This is very exciting scientifically. Lung cancer is usually detected late in the progression of the disease and what we show is that, with this program, you could start a treatment that is more likely to be the right one immediately.
“The program serves as a lens that shows patterns that are hard to notice with the eye.”
Doctor Michael Snyder, chair of genetics at Stanford University said of this new program: “I think we need to shift to using machine learning rather than rely on pathologists alone to do all the work.
“Algorithms won’t replace pathologists but they will assist them in making classifications. They will reduce errors that pathologists would otherwise make.”
The National Cancer Institute are working to advance the understanding, prevention, detection and treatment of lung cancer.
In a 2019 study the NCI-sponsored National Lung Screening Trial, showed that low-dose CT scans would be used to help people with lunger get screened better.
It claims to decrease the risk of dying from lung cancer and scientists are looking at new and innovative ways to refine CT screening to make predictions faster.
Other symptoms of lung cancer according to the NHS include:
- A cough that doesn’t go away after two to three weeks
- A long-standing cough that gets worse
- Persistent chest infections
- Coughing up blood
- An ache or pain when breathing or coughing
- Persistent tiredness or lack of energy
If you experience any of these symptoms it is highly advisable that you should speak with your doctor.
Even if you’re worried about what the symptom might be, don’t delay seeing them. Your worry is unlikely to go away if you don’t make an appointment.
The symptom might not be due to cancer and you should try and get as much information as you can.
