AI is expected to revolutionize the healthcare sector. This technology can detect many diseases in the early stages, so that patients can get timely treatment. In a recent case, Swedish researchers used AI to identify people who were most at risk of developing melanoma—the deadliest form of skin cancer—in the next five years. With the help of AI, they analyzed existing medical records to determine which people were at higher risk of developing skin cancer in the coming years.
AI can detect potential threats
Researchers from Gothenburg University in Sweden achieved this major success. The research team analyzed clinical data from nearly 6 million people across Sweden. He put the medical history and treatment records of these people into his AI model. In about 73 percent of cases, the AI successfully identified people who were at higher risk of developing melanoma. Using diagnostic, medication and socio-demographic data, researchers were able to identify people who had a 33 percent risk of developing melanoma in the next five years.
Melanoma is caused by UV light
The main cause of melanoma is ultraviolet (UV) light, which comes directly from the sun. This cancer can also spread to other parts of the body. Once it spreads throughout the body, the patient’s chances of survival become very low. Therefore, it is very important to detect this disease in its early stages. It is the sixth fastest growing form of cancer, killing a large number of people. In this context, using AI for early detection of this disease can help save lives. Once people at high risk are identified, it becomes easier to provide them with appropriate follow-up care and treatment.
AI can also detect heart diseases in early stages
Just like skin cancer, AI has the potential to detect heart diseases many years in advance. In a study conducted at the Mayo Clinic, researchers have devised a way to detect heart diseases using artificial intelligence. By analyzing patients’ routine scans in a new way with the help of AI, researchers were able to detect the amount of fat accumulated around the heart. This fat can later cause swelling and other medical problems. Without the help of AI it would have been impossible to detect this.