Space technology to accelerate the diagnosis of bowel cancer

The technology used to operate space telescopes is being re – used to revolutionize the diagnosis of bowel cancer as part of a multi – million pound initiative involving the agency. British space.

A team of researchers from University College London hopes to drastically reduce the time needed to detect and diagnose the disease – one of the most deadly forms of cancer in the UK – by deploying a space technology that can Quickly badyze colonoscopy videos.

The Earth Scan Early Life Real-Time Health System Diagnostic Project aims to take advantage of innovations in data processing and data transmission originally developed for satellite control in the field of cancer. 39; space.

It will be funded with a £ 5m share from the British Space Agency to mark the 70th anniversary of the NHS.

Science Minister Chris Skidmore said the goal of the health service was to reduce the number of cancer deaths by taking technological advances from other sectors.

"It is incredible that the artificial intelligence technology developed decades ago and used to examine distant planets is now helping to detect some of the most difficult cancers to treat in the earliest stages.

The researchers hope to dramatically reduce the time required for the detection and diagnosis of bowel cancer by deploying space technology to rapidly badyze colonoscopy videos (Danny Lawson / PA)

"With bowel cancer being the second leading cause of cancer-related death, this type of innovation will be critical to helping the NHS prevent more than 20,000 cancer-related deaths every year by 2033 – a key objective of our modern industrial strategy. "

A fast and reliable data connection is essential for controlling a telescope in the depths of space.

Earth Scan will use the technology developed for this purpose to connect a cloud-based AI system that can help physicians identify cancer in patients.

By badyzing colonoscopy images, the system identifies and characterizes polyps that could be overlooked by human eyes.

Peter Mountney, a researcher at UCL, said, "We are entering a new era of health care where AI will help doctors identify and diagnose cancer faster and more effectively.

"The Earth Scan project is an exciting opportunity to use satellite technology to bring this AI help to doctors in real time.

"With real-time support, physicians can make immediate decisions about treatment and patients can receive the results of their badysis immediately instead of waiting several weeks."