The UK National Health Service (NHS) is taking a crucial step in the fight against cancer. On January 26, NHS England announced the launch of a clinical trial combining artificial intelligence (AI) and robotic technology, aimed at accelerating the early detection and diagnosis of lung cancer, the deadliest cancer in the UK.

The pilot project will be conducted at Guy's and St Thomas' Hospital in London. Its core technology includes two key steps: first, AI software will deeply scan lung images to accurately identify suspicious nodules as small as 6 mm (about the size of a grain of rice), which are often overlooked in traditional screening; then, a robot-driven miniature camera will guide a biopsy tool deep into the lungs to perform a highly precise tissue sampling.

This technology has the potential to shorten the lengthy process of repeated scans and waiting periods to a single 30-minute procedure, significantly reducing patients' psychological stress and the risk of invasive surgery. At the same time, NHS has pledged to provide lung cancer screening for all smokers and former smokers across the country by 2030. According to predictions, these measures will help diagnose 50,000 lung cancer cases by 2035, with nearly half detected at an early stage, potentially saving thousands of lives.

Lung cancer currently takes the lives of about 33,000 people in the UK each year, and its incidence is significantly higher in deprived areas. The NHS hopes that this "future-style" testing method will break the current health inequality and improve overall survival rates through earlier interventions.

Key Points:

  • Robot + AI Collaboration: NHS England's trial uses AI to identify 6mm small lesions and combines it with a robot camera for high-precision biopsies, significantly improving early diagnosis rates.

  • Significantly Simplified Process: The new technology can shorten the examination period from weeks to a single 30-minute operation, reducing patient uncertainty and avoiding more destructive surgeries.

  • Targeting High-Risk Populations: NHS has pledged to cover all smokers and former smokers with screening before 2030, aiming to detect 23,000 early-stage lung cancer cases by 2035.