AI system spots early cancer signs

A "truly revolutionary" endoscopy system that helps to improve cancer survival rates is being used for the first time in Canberra.

ACT Endoscopy has brought in the $500,000 imaging technology, which incorporates artificial intelligence (AI) to detect early signs of bowel cancer.

Parent company Cura Day Hospitals Group initially introduced the computer-assisted system, made by its supply partner Olympus, at two of its Queensland facilities.

"It's a great privilege for the team at ACT Endoscopy to be the first in the territory to implement this technology," Cura Group CEO Andrew Currie said.

"We look forward to implementing the technology in more hospitals across the country in due course."

The system has been used in several hundred procedures at Cura's Chermside Day Hospital and Toowoomba Surgicentre since 2021, helping to improve clinical outcome and key colonoscopy quality indicators.

Studies have shown this type of technology can increase adenoma detection rates by up to 15 percent and allow doctors to spot small polyps that might otherwise go undetected.

Colorectal cancer kills over 5,000 Australians every year but nearly 99 percent of cases can be treated successfully if detected early enough, according to Bowel Cancer Australia.

Gastroenterologist Dr James Riddell said ACT Endoscopy's new Olympus CV-1500 processor and scopes would improve enhancements, image quality and depth of focal field.

"This exciting new equipment gives clinicians and patients peace of mind that pathology can be discovered, analysed and diagnosed during the procedure," he said.

"The quality image endoscope works in combination with AI polyp detection. This has shown improved detection of polyps and may contribute to the overall improvement of clinical outcomes including detecting other abnormalities."

With Australia having one of the highest rates of bowel cancer in the world,Dr Riddellsaid he hoped Cura's rollout of the systemwould encourage other hospitals to follow suit.

"This technology is truly revolutionary," he said.

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