A Revolution Through the Blood
AI-Powered Blood Tests: Suppose your body could inform you about its problems well ahead of when you feel them? This doesn’t come from a science fiction movie; AI is making this technology a reality. At present, various new diagnostic tools for cancer are being used in clinics, providing medicine with the option of early detection for many cancers using only a blood sample.
We are facing a massive shift in the way cancer is diagnosed. Using machine learning and trained on a large number of genomes, these tests are pointing out signs of cancer well before doctors notice anything unusual. The main focus behind this is… Across the U.S. and U.K., GRAIL’s test for the early detection of cancer is being used and it is already showing positive results in practice.
The use of algorithms to uncover the Genetic Code.
It seems like an easy job: you draw blood, put it into a machine and wait for details to appear. Still, what’s taking place behind the scenes is truly revolutionary. The analysis of these tests is carried out on cell-free DNA bits which are released from dead cells into the bloodstream. Cancer patients often have DNA fragments that are specific to their tumors.
This is the point where artificial intelligence is used. The genetic data is compared to a huge collection of cancer patterns by the computer, rather than being examined by a doctor. It takes a computer to detect certain issues that people cannot see—and computers are becoming rapidly more accurate at that job.
- GRAIL’s test is able to detect more than fifty cancer types and the chance of getting a wrong result is less than 1%.
- The test during the pilot study was able to predict the site of cancer in 85% of cases for 5,000 patients from NHS England.
- Recently, in a meta-analysis appearing in The Lancet Digital Health, researchers observed that colorectal cancer screening showed a much higher accurate prediction rate than is seen today.
This information goes beyond data and is now a new tool for diagnosis.
From Diagnosis to Survival: Real Lives at Stake
One individual I’d like to mention is Mary Stellan, who is a 58-year-old teacher in Manchester. My relatives have no history of cancer. No symptoms. The first attempts of the GALLERI trial within NHS found that her blood sample had signs consistent with early-stage ovarian cancer which is often detected after it has spread too far.
Her surgery was done with little impact on her body a few weeks later. The doctors found that the tumor was not aggressive, confined and could be treated. She told me, “I’m glad everything went my way.” Many other women writers are creating great novels too. At trials and clinics globally, those who received early care because the disease was caught in the silent window have similar experiences.
The statistics say a lot about the subject. If pancreatic, liver or esophageal cancer is discovered in stage 1, the chances of survival after five years increase from less than 20% to more than 80%. This means it adds another decade of time for a loved one to enjoy life.
Beyond the Buzz: Is the Hype Real?
Even though things are generally positive, there are still some concerns. These assessments have costs in both money and in ethics. Tests for Galleri are sold in the U.S. for approximately $949 and have not yet been covered by most insurance policies. As a result, only people with the means to buy diagnostics on their own will get to receive care, making two separate care systems.
Next, people experience the mental impact. According to a Mayo Clinic panel, people who experienced false positive results went through frequent anxieties and unnecessary medical tests. I have witnessed how the constant questioning of “could” brings stress to an individual’s life.
Even so, Min Li, the head of Genomic Oncology at UCLA, supports the view that despite initial hurdles, early treatment saves far more money than it costs long-term. Treating cancer that has become advanced is record-high in cost. If AI can stop or slow that sequence of events, even if it is extremely expensive, it still helps the healthcare industry.
The Broader Horizon: It’s Not Just About Cancer
What’s amazing is that AI can predict other illnesses as well. Currently, scientists are finding ways to detect indicators for Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s and cardiovascular disease in patients many years before the disease can be clinically recognized. With combined wearable data and biometric data, Verily is experimenting with AI to help predict the risk of stroke with over 80% precision when working with Google Health.
Personalized medicine is evolving to the point where we can use it to travel in time. Being able to foresee how a disease will unfold years ahead is the highest form of healthcare, since it helps you act now instead of reacting later.
Final Thoughts: The Machine That Might Save You
What happens after that? I’m enthusiastic about technology while remaining cautious as a clinician. AI will not replace doctors, yet it will be their top assistant. Ensuring that this technology is available for everyone, rather than only a select few, is the major issue today.
Considering how influential the data is, the focus shifts from deciding whether to use it, to wondering if we can afford to skip it.
Would you accept the test—just to find out if cancer is present?