Watch the video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p3PSsRlFTkA&list=PLgDB39BFocs3_xaLXkvhwU...
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"IARC's contribution to promoting early and clinical diagnosis of cervical cancer through the use of artificial intelligence.
This video presents an international project led by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) that explores how artificial intelligence (AI) can support cervical cancer prevention and public health. Launched in 2020, the project was developed in collaboration with the NSV company under a formal Memorandum of Understanding and spans the full pathway from prototype development to field evaluation.
The AI device and algorithm featured in this video are designed for point-of-care use following a positive test for human papillomavirus (HPV), as part of cervical cancer triage. By analysing medical images directly at the place where women receive care, the tool aims to support health‑care providers in identifying those who may need further examination or treatment, without requiring colposcopist expertise. By enabling earlier and more accurate triage within HPV-based screening programmes, such tools have the potential to play a major role in accelerating progress towards the global elimination of cervical cancer.
A key strength of this initiative is its strong emphasis on real-world fieldwork. The algorithm was developed, tested, and refined using data collected in diverse health-care settings across India, Thailand, Zimbabwe, and the United States. Working across different countries and contexts helps ensure that the tool is practical, reliable, and adaptable to the needs of a wide range of health systems.
At the same time, continued calibration and evaluation in additional countries and healthcare settings are essential to ensure that the tool performs consistently and can be safely and effectively generalised for global use."
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Question: In the future, one can perhaps imagine health workers, including those working on mobile screening programmes (such as we have seen in Pune, India), taking clinical images of the cervix and being guided on next steps? This might reduce the number of wrong decisions taken at the time. To what extent are you aware of the use of AI currently, and what is its potential for the future?
Best wishes, Neil
HIFA profile: Neil Pakenham-Walsh is coordinator of HIFA (Healthcare Information For All), a global health community that brings all stakeholders together around the shared goal of universal access to reliable healthcare information. HIFA has 20,000 members in 180 countries, interacting in four languages and representing all parts of the global evidence ecosystem. HIFA is administered by Global Healthcare Information Network, a UK-based nonprofit in official relations with the World Health Organization. Email: neil@hifa.org