- By Jennifer Harvey
- BBC news
image source, University of Leicester
Dr. Christopher Talbot said the study could have a significant impact on cancer patients
Researchers hope that new artificial intelligence (AI) tools can help identify patients at high risk of side effects from radiation therapy for breast cancer.
Experts from the University of Leicester are also collaborating to develop new tools.
They hope this will help doctors and patients with radiation treatment options.
They added that breast cancer survival rates have risen dramatically.
But some patients are at risk of side effects from radiation therapy, such as skin ulcers and heart damage, they said.
Researchers hope that AI will be able to predict where and what side effects patients will experience.
‘important’
“The impact this could have on cancer patients is significant,” said Christopher Talbot, Ph.D., of the University’s Department of Genetics and Genomic Biology, the project’s scientific coordinator.
“[It would] You will be able to make informed choices that improve your quality of life after cancer treatment.
“Radiation therapy is very good at treating tumors, but we know that a small number of patients can suffer serious side effects from radiation therapy.
“AI can support the decision-making process and predict where and what side effects will occur based on genetic makeup, ultimately improving an individual’s quality of life.
“Data from existing cancer patients will be used to design and implement an AI tool that serves exactly this purpose.”
Researchers are part of a team developing this tool from all over Europe.
It will be piloted at 26 hospitals, including Leicester, over the next three years.
“We hope this will become the world’s leading product,” said Dr. Tim Rattey, associate professor of breast surgery at the University of Leicester.
