RADICAL
The RADICAL study aims to improve the diagnostic pathway for lung cancer using artificial intelligence software. In the UK, lung cancer is a major cause of cancer-related deaths and detecting it early improves survival chances. However, the NHS is struggling to diagnose and treat cancer on time, a problem made worse by COVID-19. Artificial Intelligence (AI) could help by aiding in the diagnosis of lung cancer patients and managing the backlog of cases.
Currently, chest X-rays are the main way to detect lung cancer but there aren't enough radiologists to interpret them which leads to early delays in arranging CT scans. The overall process of diagnosing lung cancer involves multiple steps and can take several weeks. AI offers a potential solution by quickly identifying X-rays that are suspicious for cancer, allowing prompt reporting by radiologists and quicker CT scans.
The RADICAL study aims to move this solution from theory to practice by integrating AI software into real-world clinical workflow. The impact of the software will be comprehensively analysed through evaluation of technical performance, health economics, qualitative research and a clinical effectiveness study.