AI Skin Cancer Tool Saves Life of Office Manager in UK

When Lynsey Robertson, a 46-year-old office manager at Buckshaw Village Surgery in Preston, Lancashire, helped launch a new artificial intelligence (AI) skin cancer screening tool, she never anticipated becoming one of its first patients. Shortly after using the technology, the system flagged a mole on her skin as high risk, which was later confirmed to be a deadly form of melanoma.

Curiosity prompted Lynsey to scan a patch of skin that had gradually changed color. Despite having the mole for years without any discomfort, she decided to utilize the new screening technology. The AI flagged the lesion for urgent review, initiating a referral under the NHS’s two-week suspected cancer pathway. “I couldn’t believe it,” Lynsey recalled. “I just kept thinking, what if I hadn’t said anything?”

Lynsey had previously dismissed her concerns about the mole, which friends had occasionally questioned. “I thought I’d be wasting the GP’s time,” she admitted. Following the urgent referral to Chorley Hospital, she underwent minor surgery to remove the mole. Within days, she received the diagnosis of malignant melanoma, an aggressive skin cancer that can spread quickly.

Fortunately, Lynsey underwent a second successful procedure to ensure all cancerous cells were eliminated. Now, she is advocating for others to pay attention to changes in their skin, stressing that had she not tested the technology, “who knows what could have happened.”

The AI skin cancer detection system, developed by Skin Analytics, utilizes advanced algorithms to analyze images of skin lesions. The company claims a remarkable accuracy rate of 99.9 percent in ruling out melanoma. Healthcare professionals can capture images of suspicious skin areas using a smartphone outfitted with a high-quality magnifying lens. The AI assesses these images, and any lesions flagged as concerning are then reviewed by a dermatologist.

This pioneering technology has been conditionally approved for three years and has evaluated over 170,000 NHS patients since its introduction in 2020. The rapid integration of AI into healthcare has ignited discussions in the UK regarding issues such as data security and the potential lack of human empathy in patient care.

In its 10-year health plan for England, the government aims to make the NHS the most AI-enabled health system globally, promising seamless integration of AI into clinical pathways. Health Secretary Wes Streeting recently stated, “The AI revolution is here, and we are arming staff with the latest ground-breaking technology, so patients get faster and smarter care.” He emphasized the government’s commitment to positioning the UK as a technology superpower, driving investment and economic growth.

According to Skin Analytics, polling of 2,000 individuals revealed that 73 percent believe the NHS has a duty to implement technology with proven patient benefits. The introduction of AI has coincided with a significant rise in urgent skin cancer referrals in the UK. The NHS reports that more than 17,000 people are diagnosed with melanoma each year, resulting in approximately 2,300 deaths annually.

A recent report from Cancer Research highlighted that only half of the UK’s cancer patients are diagnosed within the NHS England target of 28 days. Meanwhile, Skin Analytics suggests that 71 percent of the public believes that regulated AI could help reduce NHS wait times.

As Lynsey’s story underscores, advancements in technology, particularly in healthcare, can have life-saving implications. Her experience serves as a reminder of the importance of vigilance regarding changes in one’s health, and the potential benefits of embracing innovative solutions in medical practice.