NHS Trials One-Day Prostate Cancer Diagnosis Using New AI Technology
Men who may have prostate cancer could soon receive a diagnosis within just one day on the NHS, thanks to a new trial described as a potential “game changer” for early detection and treatment.
At Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, AI technology is being used to analyse MRI scans within minutes, quickly identifying suspicious tissue, NHS England said. If the scan suggests a high risk of cancer, the case is fast-tracked to a radiologist and the patient is offered a same-day biopsy.
Prostate Cancer UK reports that around one in eight men will develop the disease in their lifetime, and it is now the most commonly diagnosed cancer in the UK. However, unlike breast cancer, there is currently no national screening programme for prostate cancer.
Under current best-practice guidelines, men referred by a GP should receive an MRI and biopsy within a week, but delays often occur due to limited radiologist capacity.
Health Secretary Wes Streeting said the new trial will cut “needlessly distressing” waiting times and improve patient outcomes. “By harnessing the power of technology we are revolutionising our NHS,” he said.
The AI system, called Pi, was developed by Lucida Medical and is being highlighted for its speed and efficiency. Fourteen other NHS trusts are also trialling the software, though they are not yet offering same-day biopsies.
“MRI in the morning, biopsy in the afternoon,” wrote Dr Oliver Hulson on the developer’s website.
The National Prostate Cancer Audit recorded 58,218 diagnoses in England in 2024, an increase of more than 5,000 cases compared to the previous year.
Professor Peter Johnson, NHS national clinical director for cancer, said the technology could reduce weeks of uncertainty for patients. Amy Rylance of Prostate Cancer UK added that Pi could also ease pressure on NHS staff by speeding up the diagnostic process.
This trial comes ahead of the government’s National Cancer Plan, expected later this year.