IA tools could weaken doctors’ skills to detect colon cancer, the study suggests
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The benefits of artificial intelligence (AI) in the medical space are increasingly increasing, but the evidence suggests that it can also come with risks.
A new study by European researchers investigated how AI can change the behavior of endoscopistas when performing a colonoscopy and how their performance is submerged when it does not use AI.
The research followed doctors in four endoscopy centers in Poland that participated in the ACCEPT (artificial intelligence in colonoscopy for cancer prevention), where IA tools for polype detection were introduced at the end of 2021.
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Colonoscopias in these centers were randomly selected to be administered with or without an assistance.
The researchers described the quality of colonoscopies when comparing the identification of tumors (also known as the adenoma detection rate, or ADR) three months before and three months after implementing AI.
A study discovered that the doctors who used in Colonoscopias worsened by detecting cancer themselves. (Istock)
From September 2021 to March 2022, 1,443 patients underwent colonoscopies not assisted by AIA before and after the introduction of AI.
The study found that the tumor detection rate decreased “significantly”, from 28.4% before the A -22.4% exposure after AI exposure.
The findings were published in the magazine Lancet Gastroenterology and Hepatology.
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According to the analysis of the researchers, the AI exposure, the patient’s gender and the age were “independent factors” associated with the tumor identification rate.
The researchers concluded that “the continuous exposure could reduce the ADR of standard colonoscopy not assisted by the AIA, which suggests a negative effect on endoscopist behavior.”
The investigation identified a 6% drop in detection rates during colonoscopies not assisted by the AIA. (Istock)
Harvey Castro, MD, Emergency Doctor and specialist in AI and Medical Care based in Texas, said he considers this study as an “important work.”
“This study highlights a paradox in medicine: artificial intelligence can help us detect cancer, but it can also weaken the doctor’s ability to see what matters when the tool is not available,” he said in an interview with News Digital.
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Castro emphasized that even a change of 1% can affect the survival of colon cancer for “thousands of patients”, which makes the 6% drop in detection rates significant.
“Even small changes in adenoma detection can change cancer results,” he said. “A reduction of a few percentage points is significant at the population level.”
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The expert recommends integrating the “wisely” AI instead of avoiding everything.
“As a medical futuristic, I think artificial intelligence is one of the most powerful tools we have to improve detection and save lives,” Castro said.
“Even small changes in adenoma detection can change cancer results,” said a doctor and artificial intelligence expert. “A reduction of a few percentage points is significant at the population level.” (Istock)
“At the same time, this study reminds us of a simple truth: medicine remains a human profession. The doctor’s eye, the judgment and recognition of patterns are still irreplaceable.”
Castro commented that the right way forward with AI in medicine is balance, designing it to strengthen doctors instead of weakening.
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“That requires training, supervision and intentional design,” he said.
“The best future is one in which technology and humanity work from side to side, Machine Plus Machine, ensuring that patients obtain as sure and effective as possible.”
Angelica Stabile is a lifestyle reporter for News Digital.