Radiograph Accelerated Detection and Identification of Cancer in the Lung

Lung cancer is a serious illness, and sadly, it's the most common cause of cancer deaths in the UK. A really important way to improve a person's chances of recovery is to find the cancer as early as possible. The NHS wants to find 75% of cancers at an early stage. This study is exploring a new tool that could help with this goal.

The study is testing a computer program called qXR. Think of it like a smart assistant for doctors. When someone has a chest X-ray, qXR uses artificial intelligence (AI) to quickly look at the images. It can highlight areas that might show signs of lung cancer, point out other possible health issues, or confirm if everything looks normal. This helps radiologists – the doctors who specialise in X-rays – to quickly see which X-rays might need a closer look or quicker follow-up. This could mean that people who need further checks, like a CT scan, get them sooner.

The researchers are studying qXR in different ways across several hospitals in Glasgow. Firstly, they will see if using qXR helps doctors decide more quickly whether someone with a suspicious X-ray needs a CT scan. They will also look at how qXR affects the whole process of diagnosing and treating lung cancer, and if it makes the work of X-ray departments more efficient. The study will also involve looking at many past X-rays to see how well qXR performs and will assess if using qXR saves money for the NHS. Finally, they will talk to hospital staff and patients to understand their thoughts on using this new technology.