New Delhi (Agency): AIIMS, New Delhi, has partnered with the Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (CDAC), Pune, to introduce iOncology.ai, an advanced AI platform geared towards enhancing healthcare through early cancer detection. This initiative responds to the global impact of cancer, which has surpassed cardiovascular issues in high and middle-income countries.
GLOBOCAN reported 19.3 million cancer cases worldwide in 2020, ranking India third in incidence after China and the United States. A Lancet study predicts a significant increase in cancer cases in India, reaching 2.08 million by 2040, underscoring the urgency for effective diagnostics.
Late-stage detection remains a major contributor to cancer-related fatalities, with 80% of cases globally diagnosed at an advanced stage, resulting in a mere 20% survival rate. AI is pivotal in reducing false negatives in manual cancer diagnoses.
As outlined in AIIMS Delhi’s official statement, the iOncology.ai platform employs a sophisticated AI system capable of analyzing complex medical data with unmatched accuracy and efficiency. Using deep learning models, the platform has self-learning capabilities, adapting as the volume of clinical and imaging data increases.
Initially focusing on breast and ovarian cancers prevalent among Indian women, the platform’s learning models are tailored for early detection using a substantial dataset from over 1,500 patient cases at AIIMS. The success at AIIMS has led to its implementation in five district hospitals, garnering positive feedback at the recent Med-Hackathon during AIIMS’s Research Day. The platform is exploring collaborations with other cancer hospitals and research centers in the country.
Developed collaboratively by the Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology, AIIMS, and CDAC, the iOncology.ai platform stands as a significant stride in India’s battle against cancer, contributing significantly to early detection and management.
(Courtesy: TheDailyGuardian)
