US EditionLung cancer: 'Trailblazing' NHS scheme hailed as a 'glimpse of the future'
The pilot uses AI to flag nodules and robotic catheters for biopsies, with 215 of 300 patients diagnosed moving to treatment, aiming for quicker lung cancer diagnoses.
- Guy's and St Thomas's NHS Foundation Trust is launching a pilot soon using AI software to flag lung nodules and robotic catheters for precise biopsies, with wider availability planned by 2030.
- Since the 2023 rollout, more than 1.5 million people aged 55 who have ever smoked have been screened, with a further 1.4 million invited next year.
- Specialists at Guy's and St Thomas's NHS Foundation Trust have already used 300 robotic biopsy procedures, with 215 patients receiving cancer treatment; the robotic catheter reaches nodules as small as 6mm via the throat.
- Health Secretary Wes Streeting said the pilot will catch cancer earlier and replace weeks of invasive testing with the pilot's single targeted procedure, while officials say faster biopsies reduce patient stress.
- Officials project the programme could diagnose up to 50,000 cancers by 2035, with at least 23,000 detected earlier, and plan to expand to King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Trust.
15 Articles
15 Articles
Lung cancer breakthrough as AI arm can diagnose 'deep' tumours previously missed - The Mirror
An NHS pilot has used a robotic catheter inserted into patient’s throat to reach spots as small as 6mm hidden deep in the lung, which could help to diagnose "deep" cancers
Sky News UK
Great Yorkshire RadioLung cancer: 'Trailblazing' NHS scheme hailed as a 'glimpse of the future'
Under the pilot scheme, AI software will be used to analyse lung scans and flag suspicious spots, before a robotic catheter takes precise biopsies, which are then checked in a lab to diagnose or rule out cancer.
Evening Standard
‘Trailblazing’ NHS pilot combines AI and robotics to spot lung cancer faster
There are plans to expand lung cancer screening.
AI and robot pilot at Guy’s and St Thomas’ could help to spot lung cancer sooner
AI and robot pilot at Guy’s and St Thomas’ could help to spot lung cancer sooner m.hoeksma Tue, 27/01/2026 - 16:36 David Lindsay Patients facing weeks of worry over suspected lung cancer could get clearer answers sooner under a new NHS pilot led by Guy’s and St Thomas’. Combining artificial intelligence and robotic technology could help doctors reach hard-to-detect cancers earlier and with fewer invasive tests. Optellum’s AI software is used f…
Coverage Details
Bias Distribution
- 57% of the sources are Center
Factuality
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
