Over 75,000 X-Rays Screened Under Goa’s AI Cancer Detection Program

Goa, in collaboration with AstraZeneca and Qure.ai, is the first state in India to implement artificial intelligence for lung cancer screening in the public sector.

Goa has deployed AI-driven lung cancer screening across all levels of its public health system, offering the service free of cost since February 2024.

More than 75,000 chest X-rays have been screened under the initiative, leading to the detection of over 6,000 pulmonary nodules and flagging more than 500 people at high risk for lung cancer.

The program has also confirmed seven cancer cases that would likely have remained undetected otherwise.

Goa, in collaboration with AstraZeneca and Qure.ai, is the first state in India to implement artificial intelligence for lung cancer screening in the public sector. The initiative was presented at the 78th World Health Assembly in Geneva in May by Dr Kedar Raikar, the state nodal officer for the non-communicable disease cell.

Screening is currently conducted at 17 public health centers and hospitals, integrated with the state’s digital X-ray network. The system supports chest X-rays, CT scans, and follow-ups, and has reduced CT scan wait times for high-risk patients from 10 days to 2 days.

The AI system is also able to flag possible cancer signs during routine X-rays taken for unrelated issues. Before its introduction, only 100 to 200 lung cancer cases would typically be detected over a two-year period. High-risk patients are now given a pink slip to ensure they receive prioritized care without delay.

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