The NHS plans to trial an AI-powered ‘one-day diagnosis’ service for prostate cancer, which could significantly reduce the time it takes for men to receive a prostate cancer diagnosis.
The new system, supported by NHS England, uses AI to analyze MRI scans within minutes, potentially cutting waiting times by weeks and enabling faster treatment.
The initiative, which will launch at Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust early next year, will provide all important tests for suspected prostate cancer in one day.
Around 100 men are expected to take part in the initial pilot, which could pave the way for national adoption in up to 15 NHS hospitals.
UK Health Secretary Wes Streeting believes AI tools will revolutionize the diagnosis of the disease. “Prostate cancer is a devastating disease that affects thousands of men each year. And compounding an already incredibly difficult situation for these men is the long wait times for test results, diagnosis and treatment, which is unnecessary suffering for them and their families.”
“By harnessing the power of technology, we are revolutionizing the NHS and tackling this problem by enabling AI to enable same-day diagnosis of prostate cancer, delivering better outcomes for patients and providing faster support for doctors.
“This will modernize the NHS, making it fit for the future and increasing productivity and efficiency. It will eliminate unnecessarily long and frustrating waits for test results, ensuring patients can start treatment as soon as possible and saving lives.”
AI tool ‘Pi’ provides near-instantaneous scan interpretation
At the heart of the project is Pi, an AI diagnostic tool developed by Lucida Medical. This software quickly scans MRI images to detect abnormal lesions that may indicate cancer.
If Pi flags a high-risk case, the scan will be immediately prioritized for examination by a radiologist and the patient will be able to schedule a same-day biopsy.
This streamlined approach gives doctors everything they need to rule out the disease on the spot or confirm a diagnosis of prostate cancer within days.
Studies show this technology can detect up to 95% of cancers and could change the accuracy and speed of prostate testing.
Address delays and improve early detection
Under current NHS guidelines, men referred urgently by their GP must have an MRI and biopsy within seven days.
However, wait times can be significantly longer due to a shortage of specialized radiologists in many regions.
The AI-assisted pathway aims to help more men receive a confirmed or complete diagnosis within the NHS’s 28-day target timeframe for suspected cancer cases.
With more than 56,000 men diagnosed with prostate cancer each year in the UK and around 12,000 deaths each year, the need for faster detection has never been more urgent.
Prostate cancer remains the most common cancer among UK men, accounting for more than a quarter of all male cancer cases.
Professor Peter Johnson, NHS National Cancer Director, echoed the technology’s potential, saying: “We’re really excited about the potential of AI to speed up cancer diagnosis and hope this trial of an AI-powered ‘one-day diagnosis’ will be a game-changer and help relieve weeks of worry and anxiety for men.
“As with all cancers, speed is key. The earlier we can diagnose, the sooner we can begin treatment and give patients and their families the best chance of success.
“Prostate cancer continues to have a devastating impact on tens of thousands of men and their loved ones in this country each year.
“We are determined to see more patients diagnosed or cleared faster. This new testing pathway, combined with the latest technology, gives clinicians the tools they need to give patients peace of mind and confirm a cancer diagnosis as quickly as possible.”
Vision for nationwide expansion
If the Leeds trial is successful, the NHS plans to expand the one-day diagnostic model across the country.
This technology could also be introduced to community diagnostic centers, bringing care closer to home and reducing the burden on hospitals.
Experts believe the AI-powered approach could help thousands of men each year get faster and more accurate results, reduce anxiety, improve survival rates and establish a new gold standard in prostate cancer diagnosis.
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