University Hospital Monklands in North Lanarkshire will use artificial intelligence (AI) and advanced imaging as part of its cervical cancer screening programme.

The technology aims to improve early diagnosis of pre-cancerous cells and cancer cells, with the potential to save lives.

In the UK, over 3,000 women are diagnosed with cervical cancer each year, with six women diagnosed in Scotland every week.

The pilot uses a digital cytology system, the GeniusTM Digital Diagnostics System from women’s health company Hologic.

For the pilot programme purpose, the system will create digital images of cervical smear slides from samples that have tested positive for Human Papilloma Virus (HPV). These images of test slides can be rapidly reviewed using an advanced algorithm, which assesses the cervical cells in the sample and provides the screener with an image gallery of the most diagnostically relevant cells.

This helps medical experts more rapidly identify and accurately diagnose abnormalities as they have fewer cells to analyse.

Consultant Biomedical Scientist at NHS Lanarkshire Allan Wilson, who is leading the pilot, said: “Looking for abnormal cells is like trying to find a needle in a haystack because in some cases there are only around 50 abnormal cervical cells in a sample that may contain 15,000 normal cells.

“This pilot with Hologic has shown how digital cytology can revolutionise our analysis process in our cervical screening programme.

“Preliminary results from the pilot are promising, as the team at University Hospital Monklands has increased capacity by around 25% in the slide assessment and improved analysis turnaround times, as well as allowing screeners to dedicate more time to training on the latest technologies and dealing with difficult-to-diagnose cases.”

He added: “We are now undertaking a retrospective study, using the digital cytology system to test its performance against previous known results. This will then provide the clinical data to make a recommendation on the use of digital cytology in the cervical screening programme in Scotland.

“Through AI and digital diagnostics, we have the potential to improve outcomes for women not only in Scotland, but around the world.”

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The pilot AI cancer screening project makes the hospital the first in the UK and one of the first in the world to adopt the technology.

General Manager at Hologic UK & Ireland Tim Simpson said: “We’re proud to be working with University Hospital Monklands on this ground-breaking pilot, using our digital cytology system to help speed up detection of pre-cancerous cervical cells and cancer cells.

“Digital cytology has a key role to play in ensuring pre-cancerous cells are picked up early and treated so fewer women go on to develop cervical cancer. Our goal is to help create a world where no woman dies from cervical cancer.”

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