Malaysia’s Ministry of Health has been successfully detecting lung cancer in its early stages with the help of artificial intelligence technology.
State media outlet Bernama revealed on Nov. 2 that 22 lung cancer cases were identified in the country with AI-assisted X-ray scans within a two-month period. The country’s health ministry launched a screening program utilizing Qure.ai’s qXR software in July. India-based Qure.ai is a global leader in AI-assisted chest X-ray analysis tech for this indication.
Screening was carried out at seven clinics nationwide prioritizing smokers and industrial workers at a high risk of the disease. A total of 3,482 X-ray examinations were completed during the two month duration in discussion, ultimately leading to the 22 confirmed lung cancer cases.
Malaysian Health Minister Dzulkefly Ahmad says artificial intelligence is enabling faster and more accurate detection, thereby boosting patients’ chances of receiving timely treatment.
“Lungs are the organ most threatened by human behaviour,” Ahmad said on social media, “smoking, vaping, air pollution, industry-factories & lack of exercise. Early screening is very important!”
Prior to the launch of the screening program, Ahmad was instrumental in advancing a resolution titled “Promoting and Prioritizing an Integrated Lung Health Approach” at this year’s World Health Assembly in Switzerland. It is the first comprehensive resolution dedicated to lung health that has been adopted by the World Health Organization.
Its implementation was inspired by growing awareness about the disproportionate impact of lung diseases, which cause nearly 9 million deaths globally per annum. The resolution aims to expand access to screening tools, promote tobacco control measures, address air pollution and foster beneficial lung health research.
This resolution may also help draw attention to emerging screening technologies, such as the OneBreath lung cancer breath test developed by Breath Diagnostics or the CyPath Lung tool from bioAffinity Technologies Inc (NASDAQ: BIAF). It explicitly calls for affordable, innovative diagnostic tech.
Malaysia accelerates screening ambitions
The ministry’s lung cancer detection success follows the debut of Malaysia’s LungShield campaign in early October.
The National Cancer Society created the comprehensive healthcare initiative with backing from the Ministry of Health. It too will use Qure.ai’s technology in tandem with low-dose CT scans, tissue biopsies and CT TAP (computed tomography scan of the thorax, abdomen, and pelvis) tech.
LungShield and the AI-assisted chest X-ray analysis screening program are both part of Malaysia’s 2025 Lung Health Initiative.
Read more: Breath Diagnostics leaders promote their mission at Miami investment conference
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