AI lung cancer detector rolls out at Tameside Hospital

A new AI system to help doctors detect lung cancer more quickly has been launched this week at Tameside Hospital.

Funded by the Artificial Intelligence Diagnostic Fund (AIDF), the technology will analyse chest x-rays and aid in the early detection of a range of diseases. 

The system – Annalise.ai - can flag suspicious results in under a minute, helping healthcare professionals prioritise cases. 

Dilraj Sandher, Medical Director at Tameside and Glossop NHS ICFT, said: “We are proud to welcome this emerging technology.  

“This is an excellent tool to aid our clinicians in the earlier detection of lung cancer for patients in Tameside and Glossop, and we are looking forward to seeing the results.” 

Mr Sandher’s thoughts were echoed by Chris Sleight, the Chief Officer of Greater Manchester Imaging Network: “We are thrilled to have been awarded the funding from the Artificial Intelligence Diagnostics Fund to help bring faster diagnosis of chest x-rays for our patients,”  

“This is such an exciting advancement to help us improve the detection of lung cancer earlier in the patient pathway, and therefore better prognosis.  

“We are delighted to be working with Annalise and the Greater Manchester Cancer Alliance on such an important programme for our patients.” 

Health Secretary, Wes Streeting, who received the all-clear from kidney cancer in 2021, said: “When I was diagnosed with cancer, a world-class surgeon equipped with a robot helped save my life – showcasing the very best of our NHS. 

“Breakthroughs like this AI tool will help to save lives across the country, speeding up diagnosis so that doctors can provide the best possible treatments to patients sooner. 

"As part of our 10 Year Health Plan, I am determined that we embrace this kind of innovation and shift the health service from analogue to digital, so more patients can get their lives back.” 

Greater Manchester’s rates of lung cancer are 24 per cent higher than the national average, and with around 50,000 new cases being diagnosed per year across the UK, it is the second most common cancer among both men and women. 

It is also the most frequent cause of death by cancer, with 35,000 people succumbing to the disease each year.  

Smoking causes 72 per cent of lung cancer cases.