AI technology is making its way into various sectors of the world. Recently, AIIMS, New Delhi, in collaboration with the Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (CDAC), Pune presented an AI platform ‘iOncology.ai’ for the early detection of cancer. It intends to deal with the impact of cancer globally. Based on the Lancet (2019), cancer is deemed a more fatal disease than cardiovascular concerns, in high and middle-income countries.
According to the Global Cancer Observatory (GLOBOCAN) estimated 19.3 million cancer cases were reported globally in 2020, in the incidence of cancer India is ranked third after China and the United States. A Lancet study anticipates by 2040, there is going to be a 57.5% increase in cancer cases in India, reaching 2.08 million. Over 8 lakh cancer-related deaths happened in 2022 alone, due to late diagnosis, which stresses the necessity for early detection of cancer. Globally it is assessed that 80% of the cases are reported late which results in only a 20% survival rate. AI plays an integral role in diminishing false negatives in manual cancer detection.
According to the official statement from AIIMS, Delhi, the ioncology.ai platform, operates a sophisticated AI system that is capable of analyzing complex medical data, comprising diagnosis with unprecedented accuracy and efficiency. The platform also employs deep learning models and has the self-learning capacity as the volume of clinical and imaging data increases, leading to continuous advancement. Initially, this AI application was focused on breast and ovarian cancers and it has been successfully enforced at AIIMS and also in five district hospitals. It was showcased at a Med Hackathon event, which was during AIIMS Research Day Celebrations on 30th January. More than hundreds of participants including clinicians and researchers interacted with the AI platform, and it received positive feedback from cancer experts, exhorting AIIMS to explore partnerships with other cancer hospitals and research centers.
The iOncology.ai platform is the outcome of a successful collaborative research and development initiative between the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, AIIMS, New Delhi, and CDAC, Pune.
(Input from various sources)
(Rehash/Lavanya Beeraboina/MSM)