Medtech firm Aidence and Heart&Lung Health (H&L), a specialist in chest and cardiac radiology reporting, have partnered to provide AI-powered, scan reporting for lung cancer screening in Tameside, Glossop, and North Manchester Clinical Commission Groups (CCGs).
The screening service is provided by Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust (MFT), one of the largest NHS Trusts in the UK. The radiology team will analyse over 30,000 patient screening scans over three years.
Lung Health Checks in Greater Manchester
Thousands of lives could be saved in the UK if people at risk of developing lung cancer were given a CT scan before developing symptoms, a major NHS study has found.
Greater Manchester has one of the highest death rates from lung cancer in the country. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, fewer lung cancer patients have started treatment in Greater Manchester, doctors warned, adding to the severe impact of the illness.
The lung checks in Greater Manchester are part of the Targeted Lung Health Checks (TLHC), a multicentre, four-year screening programme across England. People aged 55 to 74, current or former smokers are invited to a mobile unit close to their home. As part of the check, they may be offered an ultra-low dose CT scan of their lungs.
The programme aims to detect approximately 3,400 cancers and save hundreds of lives over the coming four years.
The North Manchester CCG programme, pioneered by MFT in 2016, is one of the first targeted screening pilots in the UK. Due to its successful "stage shift" of lung cancer in the region, it is now being rolled out to Tameside and Glossop.
A winning combination
The collaboration between MFT, Aidence, and H&L aims to ensure that no early-stage cancers are missed in the screening chest CT scans and that reporting follows the correct protocol and the highest clinical standards.
Aidence’s AI-based solution, Veye Lung Nodules, automatically detects, classifies, and tracks the growth of pulmonary nodules as small as 3 mm. The results provided by Veye Lung Nodules are further presented in a report that follows the NHS template.
Mark-Jan Harte, Aidence CEO, said: “We are thrilled to team up with a high-profile site - the Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust - and specialist reporting partners at Heart&Lung Health. I am confident that our complementary competencies in thoracic radiology and technology will positively impact the lives of many patients.”
With specialist expertise in lung cancer screening image reporting, Heart&Lung Health is able to deliver early and accurate diagnosis of lung cancer for NHS patients, minimising recall rates for false negatives and incidental findings.
Heart&Lung Health commented: “A successful TLHC programme relies on seamless integration of AI with genuine imaging expertise in the lung cancer space. Our network of UK chest radiology expertise has transformed reporting of TLHC scans by delivering early, accurate diagnosis of lung cancer and improving patient experience. Aidence and Heart&Lung Health provide a winning combination, founded on unparalleled expertise in the detection of lung nodules."
Dr Ashwin Ramachandra, joint chair of Tameside and Glossop CCG, added: “I’m delighted Tameside and Glossop has been selected for this pilot project to provide early diagnosis for serious lung conditions. The survival rate for lung cancer significantly increases if it’s caught in the early stages and through our approach to these targeted lung health checks will be contacting residents most at risk.
“I encourage who receives an invitation letter to contact the bookings team as soon as possible.”
Aidence and Heart&Lung Health are also supporting other TLHC sites in Luton, Basildon, Hull, Liverpool, and Stoke.
