Hyderabad hospital uses AI to enhance early cancer detection

A hospital in Hyderabad is using artificial intelligence (AI) to improve early cancer detection. Continental Hospitals has partnered with global institutions like MIT and the Mayo Clinic to focus on identifying breast, lung, and pancreatic cancers at earlier stages. The hospital has screened more than 1,500 patients using AI for mammography and detecting chest nodules. Guru N. Reddy, the founder and chairman of Continental Hospitals, highlighted the importance of early detection. He noted that treatment for early-stage cancer can cost around ₹5 lakh, while later stages can exceed ₹25 lakh. The hospital uses two FDA-approved AI algorithms to assist in cancer detection. Ruju Doshi, a senior radiologist, explained that the first algorithm identifies breast cancer, while the second estimates a woman's risk of developing it within five years. This allows doctors to assess risk levels right after a mammogram and arrange follow-up imaging if necessary. Suhasini Devi P., another senior radiologist, mentioned that CT scans can produce hundreds of images, which can be overwhelming for radiologists. The AI helps manage routine evaluations and enhances the clarity of images through 3D rendering, making the diagnosis process more efficient.