Artificial intelligence (AI) is making significant strides in the fight against lung cancer in China, according to leading experts. Dr. He Jianxing, director of the National Center for Respiratory Medicine, highlighted the potential of AI in enhancing lung cancer screening and diagnosis during an interview in Beijing.
AI technologies can streamline the lung cancer screening process by automating repetitive and labor-intensive tasks. This advancement allows doctors to dedicate more time to complex and advanced medical duties. \"As technology develops, we can also implement AI to help evaluate lung function and tumor malignancy levels,\" Dr. He explained.
Despite these advancements, Dr. He emphasized that AI is not intended to replace doctors but to support them. \"In the era of big data, doctors are responsible for integrating technologies from different fields, rather than spending excessive time on repetitive tasks,\" he added.
The discussions took place during the 40th anniversary of the Cancer Foundation of China (CFC), an organization dedicated to lung cancer awareness and treatment advancements. November also marks Lung Cancer Awareness Month, an initiative by the Global Lung Cancer Coalition.
China has been at the forefront of integrating AI into the medical field. This year, researchers from Air Force Medical University, Tsinghua University, and AI software provider SenseTime released PathOrchestra, a comprehensive pathology model capable of examining over 20 human organs, including the lungs.
Lung cancer remains the deadliest form of cancer globally, with approximately 1.06 million new cases reported in China in 2022 alone. The disease caused over 1.8 million deaths worldwide in the same year, according to the International Agency for Research on Cancer.
At the recent meeting, experts also raised concerns about the rising incidence of lung cancer among Chinese women. Dr. Qiao Youlin from the Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences noted a troubling trend: \"In the past, smoking was uncommon among Chinese women. In recent years, however, women have begun to view smoking as a fashion statement.\" Statistics from 2020 revealed a decrease in smoking rates among men but an increase among women, highlighting the need for targeted tobacco control measures.
The CFC, established in 1984, has made significant progress in patient care, international exchanges, cervical cancer initiatives, medication assistance for underprivileged patients, and educational support for cancer patients' children, as stated by Dr. Zhi Xiuyi, the foundation's deputy secretary general.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
