The use of artificial intelligence, also known as AI, has increased rapidly in recent years. While there are many concerns around the use of AI, it does have its benefits, especially in medicine. This article will look at the growing use of AI and cancer detection and how it may help to revolutionize detection and other aspects of cancer care.
AI and Cancer Detection: How Does It Work?
One role of AI and cancer detection has to do with interpreting diagnostic imaging. In many tests for cancer, images such as X-rays or microscopic images are taken of the particular tissue and assessed for cancer.
Before AI, this assessment would be carried out by humans; however, researchers are now developing AI models that can assess these images and detect cancer through the use of algorithms.
AI and Cancer Detection in Healthcare
One example of this is an AI model created by scientists at Charles Darwin University. This model has been used to identify endometrial cancer. This cancer affects the lining of the uterus and is the most common reproductive cancer in women [1].
Endometrial cancer has a good prognosis if it has not spread to other parts of the body. The accuracy of this model in detecting this cancer is 99.26%, and it can be adapted to detect other types of cancers. These cancers include [2]:
- Colorectal cancer- 98.57% accuracy
- Breast cancer– 98.20% accuracy
- Oral cancer- 97.34% accuracy
Not only can it detect later stages of cancer, but it can also detect the earlier stages that sometimes can not be seen by the naked eye. Currently, detection that’s led by humans is only 78.91 – 80.93% accurate.
This impressive increase in accuracy is promising in detecting cancer and may increase the chances of women receiving early diagnoses and getting early treatment. Since this model can also be applied to other forms of cancer, it may help improve the prognosis of many individuals.
AI and Cancer: How Will AI Change Cancer Care?
The research on AI and cancer detection is impressive and can increase the chances of detection and earlier treatment. However, AI has other uses in cancer, including in research and in cancer therapy.
In cancer research, AI can help to improve the extraction of information from research studies, helping to increase the chances of breakthroughs in cancer research. It can also help researchers to better understand mutations that can cause cancer. This may help improve cancer prevention and treatment.
In terms of cancer treatment, AI may help optimize the dosages of radiation and medication. It may also help develop treatment plans for individuals based on predicting the treatment effects for patients, and can also personalize plans considering the unique aspects of the individual in question [3].
AI and Cancer: The Limitations
While AI and cancer detection and research are promising and may change how cancer is detected and treated, there are limitations to AI. With the use of AI and cancer, the AI is based on algorithms. These algorithms are created by humans, which can cause errors within the algorithms.
Additionally, the use of AI in cancer needs to be handled by researchers with appropriate training. If the researcher is not trained in using these AI models, the chance of errors may increase.
Other concerns around AI are the use of patients’ data and data privacy. There are concerns about individuals’ personal data being shared with companies without consent. In order to reduce this, there needs to be strict policies and compliance when individuals share their health data.
As the use of AI in healthcare increases, there are still many aspects to consider, including who would be responsible if the AI model incorrectly detects or treats an individual, and how to protect individuals’ health data securely without it being shared.
While AI is useful in the detection and potentially treatment of cancers, it’s important to remember that a human element is needed when consulting individuals and helping select the best therapy. This human element is still a crucial part of cancer care and is sometimes underrated.
Cancer and Its Effects as A Stressor
If you are currently experiencing cancer and undergoing treatment, it’s important to remember the toll it may have on your body and the effects it can have on your body’s natural stress response system.
The NeuroEndoMetabolic (NEM) Stress Response System is your body’s natural stress response system that consists of six different circuits that help to manage stress in your body. In the cases of short-term stress, one way in which this system will help is by stimulating your adrenal glands to produce stress hormones such as cortisol. These stress hormones help your body respond to stress.
Cancer, as well as its treatment, can put immense stress on your body, resulting in long-term stress. In some cases, this can start to deplete your adrenal glands of cortisol, and the cortisol levels can start to become low.
When this happens, imbalances within the NEM system can start to occur, and this can result in the onset of Adrenal Fatigue. This is a condition where the body is unable to keep up with long-term stress and results in various symptoms depending on which circuit in the NEM system is imbalanced. For example, if the Inflammation circuit is imbalanced, it can cause:
- Migrating aches and pains
- Frequent illness
- A leaky gut
- Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
- Food sensitivities
Adrenal Fatigue may exacerbate symptoms that you are already experiencing and may affect the length of recovery. Supporting your body during this time can help prevent the onset of Adrenal Fatigue and may help to support your recovery.
Cancer and Stress Management
Experiencing cancer and undergoing therapy will put your body under stress, and unfortunately, there is no avoiding this.
However, through the use of nutrition, supplementation, and techniques such as mindfulness and meditation that are approved by your doctor, you can help to support your body through this process, and you may be able to reduce further stress on your body.
While some lifestyle strategies are pretty straightforward to follow, supplementation can be tricky due to the range of supplements available, as well as the claims these supplements may have about cancer.
MyroBroc by Dr. Lam is a supplement that may help those going through cancer. One capsule of MyroBroc contains 600 mg of broccoli extract which contains around 60 mg of Sulforaphane Glucosinolate as the active ingredient. This supplement is designed to preserve the enzyme myrosinase that helps convert Sulforaphane Glucosinolate into the bioactive compound sulforaphane.
There are many researched benefits of sulforaphane. One of the most important is its anticancer properties, such as increasing programmed cell death, also known as apoptosis, which may help in reducing the amount of cancer cells. It may also reduce the spread of cancer cells and protect the DNA of your cells.
In terms of inflammation, sulforaphane may help reduce inflammation and increase the defense from antioxidants. These are molecules that can neutralize the unstable molecules, also known as free radicals. These free radicals are produced in illness and stress and increase inflammation [4].
While sulforaphane may help benefit those who are experiencing cancer as well as those who have an increase in inflammation, you should not replace this supplement with your cancer treatment as agreed upon with your doctor.
Closing Thoughts
While cancer is a scary topic and unfortunately a reality for many, there are many breakthroughs currently happening in AI and cancer. These breakthroughs may help improve research, detection, and treatment.
If you are currently experiencing cancer, supporting your body through this process and minimizing other potential stressors is important. Nutrition, supplementation, and other lifestyle techniques may help. If you are interested in minimizing stress in your body or are experiencing cancer and would like to discuss more individualized ways to help support your body, you can give our office a call at +1 (714) 709-8000.
