Chinese Doctors Develop AI-Based Breast Cancer Screening on Smartphones

Xinhua/APP

Beijing: A team of doctors from Peking Union Medical College Hospital (PUMCH) in Beijing has developed an artificial intelligence-based infrared thermography (AI-IRT) system for breast cancer screening.

This innovative solution allows users to assess their cancer risk conveniently through an app by linking infrared cameras to their smartphones.

The AI-IRT system comprises an infrared camera, an AI algorithm, and a big data platform. Users can capture thermal images of their breasts using the infrared cameras, which are then uploaded to a mobile app for automatic analysis by the AI algorithm, providing results that indicate varying levels of cancer risk.

The research team aims to offer a more accessible, accurate, and cost-effective pre-clinical breast cancer screening solution for women in China.

Currently, breast self-examination is the primary method for pre-clinical screening; however, many women do not perform these examinations regularly or use the correct techniques.

Breast cancer poses a significant health challenge for women in China, with 357,200 new cases reported in 2022, making it the second most prevalent cancer among females, leading to 75,000 deaths that year.

“Early screening and diagnosis are crucial for effective breast cancer treatment,” said Sun Qiang, chief breast physician at PUMCH and a key member of the research team.

Compared to traditional screening methods such as ultrasound, mammography, and MRI, the AI-IRT system presents several advantages, including being non-invasive, radiation-free, quick, and more affordable.

The technology is especially effective for screening dense breast tissue, which is common among Asian women.
“This is a Chinese solution for breast cancer pre-clinical screening tailored for Chinese women,” noted Zhou Yidong, director of the breast surgery department at PUMCH.

The researchers aspire to make the AI-IRT system available for home use and at community health centers, alleviating the need for hospital appointments and lengthy waits for clinical screenings.

Wang Xuefei, an attending physician in the breast surgery department at PUMCH, acknowledged that while further validation studies are needed, the AI-IRT system holds significant potential for practical application.

The core hardware for the AI-IRT system has already undergone successful technology transfer.