Dr Nick Woznitza is a Consultant Radiographer and Clinical Academic in the School of Allied and Public Health at Canterbury Christ Church University. He is working with NHS hospitals and Qure.ai, a breakthrough Artificial Intelligence solution provider, to harness computer power to examine X-rays.
This study aims to benefit huge numbers of people with suspected cancer every year, shortening diagnosis time and improving patient experience.
By triaging suspicious chest X-rays using AI the trial aims to reduce the amount of time from the first chest X-ray to cancer diagnosis.
The Small Business Research Initiative (SBRI) awarded the research partners £3.2m to fund the project.
The study is being led by Dr Nick Woznitza and Professor David Baldwin, Chair of NHS England’s Clinical Expert Group for Lung Cancer, and runs until June 2023.
If the pilot demonstrates effectiveness, it could be introduced more widely across the health service.
The work we are doing has the potential to help thousands of patients every year. "Our preliminary study, led by Canterbury Christ Church and utilising radiographer reporting, has shown great results. "Our aim is to diagnose quicker, which in turn is saving lives, and improving patient care and experience throughout the NHS.
Dr Nick WoznitzaConsultant Radiographer and Clinical Academic in the School of Allied and Public Health
According to the NHS, lung cancer is one more the most common and serious types of cancer. Around 47,000 people are diagnosed with the condition every year in the UK. Some lung cancer cases are missed in chest X-rays because some lung nodules can be difficult to spot, however working with AI technology together with a human radiologist could also pick up cases earlier.
The study is being run at seven hospitals including Nottingham University Hospital Trust, The Royal Marsden NHS Trust in south London, University College London Hospital NHS Trust, and University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Trust.