West Bengal to Build an AI-based Protocol, App for Quick Breast Cancer Detection

It aims to enable ASHA workers to identify those likely to have the disease by using simple symptom-based inputs, refer high-risk cases for further imaging, and monitor patient outcomes across hospital networks.

In an effort to mitigate to breast cancer risk, the West Bengal state health department has initiated a project to develop an AI-based screening protocol along with a mobile application.

The project is undertaken in collaboration with the Institute of Post-Graduate Medical Education & Research (IPGMER) and a partner.

The move aims to enable ASHA workers to identify those likely to have the disease by using simple symptom-based inputs, refer high-risk cases for further imaging, and monitor patient outcomes across hospital networks.

The project is part of a broader set of measures introduced by the health department to accelerate breast cancer diagnosis, coinciding with October’s observance of ‘Pink Month’ as Breast Cancer Awareness Month across the country.

Currently, the research work is in progress, and IPGMER experts, led by Diptendra Sarkar, have zeroed in on three basic inputs to be fed into the app to identify the degree of risk.

According to Sarkar, "This is an AI-based protocol of which the app will be an integral part and the first of its kind in the world. It will be uploaded onto the smartphones of Asha workers, already reaching every village, town, and city in Bengal, to identify women with symptoms. They will seek basic inputs, including if there is a lump in the breast and whether the patient has breast discharge.”

“If a woman has either of the two or both, she will undergo an ultrasound check at the nearest district or state hospital, and the result will be uploaded into the system. It will be accessible on the app on a real-time basis, enabling Swasthya Bhavan to have a ready list of suspected patients”, he added.

The system will further assess ultrasound findings via AI support, and those flagged as high risk will be referred for mammography, while low-risk cases will be under surveillance.

Giving details regarding the progress of the initiative, Sarkar said,

“We have just received the funds and have started working on the app. It should be ready in five to six months”.

Further, he added, “The health department is also ready to launch a separate app for Asha workers to collect and upload the names, addresses, locations, and ID numbers of each suspected breast cancer patient across Bengal. The data will be tracked at Swasthya Bhavan until each suspected patient is treated at the district or nearest state hospital. This app will also upload the test reports. ‘We will train 618 urban Asha workers at SSKM who will collect data from across Kolkata.”

Reportedly, this new digital drive complements West Bengal’s existing “Pink Corridor” initiative, launched a year ago to enhance breast cancer awareness, screening, and access to care in remote districts. Under that model, around 59 lakh women were screened; about 29,000 were flagged as suspects, and 1,900 confirmed cases were diagnosed.

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