Nearly 700,000 women across the UK will take part in a trial testing how AI tools can be used to catch breast cancer cases earlier, the Department of Health and Social Care has announced.
There will be 30 testing sites across the country with the latest digital AI technologies, ready to invite women already booked in for routine screenings on the NHS to take part.
The EDITH trial (Early Detection using Information Technology in Health) is backed by £11m of government support via the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR).
The technology will assist radiologists, screening patients to identify changes in breast tissue that show possible signs of cancer and refer them for further investigations if required.
If the trial is successful, it could free up hundreds of radiologists and other specialists across the country.
“As a cancer survivor, I feel like one of the lucky ones. With record numbers of people diagnosed with cancer, and Lord Darzi finding that cancer survival is worse in this country than our peers, I know that urgent action is needed to save lives and improve patient care,” said Wes Streeting, Secretary of State for health and social care.
“That’s why for World Cancer Day, I am committed to publishing a dedicated national cancer plan this year, to unleash Britain’s potential as a world leader in saving lives from this deadly disease and make the NHS fit for the future through our Plan for Change.”
Professor Lucy Chappell, CEO of the NIHR, added: “This landmark trial could lead to a significant step forward in the early detection of breast cancer, offering women faster, more accurate diagnoses when it matters most.
“It is another example of how NIHR research, shaped and funded by the public, is crucial for rigorously testing world-leading new technologies, such as AI, that can potentially save lives while reducing the burden on the NHS.”
Last week, the government pledged to speed up diagnosis and treatment for tens of thousands of cancer patients.
From March 2026, around 100,000 more people every year will be told if they have cancer or not within 28 days and around 17,000 more people will begin treatment within 2 months of a diagnosis.
This comes as part of new targets from NHS England confirming 4 out of 5 patients would receive a diagnosis or be given the all-clear within 28 days of a cancer referral.