Lunit Launches Revolutionary AI Breast Cancer Screening in Australia

Lunit Initiates Groundbreaking AI-Driven Breast Cancer Screening in Australia

In a significant advancement for cancer diagnostics, Lunit (KRX:328130.KQ), a prominent provider of AI technology for healthcare, has officially launched its artificial intelligence tool within BreastScreen New South Wales (BSNSW). This initiative, which commenced on December 9, 2024, marks the first instance of integrating AI into a national cancer screening program worldwide. With this, Lunit aims to enhance the early detection of breast cancer across New South Wales.

Lunit's AI platform, Lunit INSIGHT MMG, will initially assist in analyzing around 31,000 mammography exams each year, particularly focusing on women aged between 50 to 59 years who are getting screened for the first time. This groundbreaking effort is part of a broader strategy to revolutionize how mammograms are interpreted, ultimately leading to faster and more accurate diagnoses.

The Role of AI in Improving Cancer Detection

Three years ago, BSNSW made the historic decision to explore the implementation of AI in its screening procedures. The project has undergone rigorous development, including a comprehensive three-phase validation process. This validation entailed the world’s largest retrospective AI study of 650,000 mammograms, cross-referenced with the Australian Cancer Registry's ground-truth data. The results from these studies have paved the way for operational deployment, which is now set to significantly relieve the workload of radiologists while maintaining or improving detection rates.

Lunit’s CEO, Brandon Suh, commented on this milestone: "The BSNSW project has been a journey of innovation and collaboration. The deployment of Lunit INSIGHT MMG highlights how AI can enhance healthcare's efficiency and precision, enabling radiologists to focus on more complex cases."

Addressing Workforce Challenges

The integration of Lunit's AI solution comes at a crucial time when healthcare sectors across the globe are grappling with radiologist shortages exacerbated by aging populations. Ryan Park, New South Wales Health Minister, emphasized the importance of technology in addressing workforce challenges, stating, "We want to ensure we can continue serving the community quickly and efficiently, even amidst these challenges."

The current rollout targets a specific demographic, but there are plans for a broader application of the AI technology as more clinical data becomes available, including interval cancer outcomes. The seamless incorporation of Lunit INSIGHT MMG into BSNSW’s PACS infrastructure ensures that it is scalable and ready for future innovation, including the possible addition of Lunit INSIGHT DBT, a digital breast tomosynthesis solution.

Setting a Global Precedent

This remarkable project not only sets a precedent within Australia but also acts as a benchmark for AI deployment in cancer screening programs globally. Following the successful integration in New South Wales, Lunit's AI technology has been tapped for use within Iceland’s national breast screening initiative and is also being considered for similar programs in Sweden, Singapore, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar.

About Lunit

Founded in 2013, Lunit has emerged as a leader in medical AI, dedicated to the fight against cancer through innovative technological solutions. Their AI image analytics and biomarkers are designed to provide precise diagnostics and optimal treatment strategies for cancer patients. The Lunit INSIGHT suite is FDA-cleared for clinical use and is currently trusted by over 4,500 medical institutions across more than 55 countries. For more information, visit Lunit's website.

With initiatives like these, Lunit continues to showcase its commitment to leveraging technology for public health benefits and pioneering solutions that could save countless lives through early cancer detection.