Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the use of artificial intelligence in the identification of patients with prostate cancer who would benefit most from treatment with abiraterone.

We are committed to transforming diagnostic services and will support the National Health Service to increase capacity to meet the demand for diagnostic services through investment in new capacity, including artificial intelligence (AI) where it is beneficial to do so.

AI can be used to accelerate the diagnosis and treatment of a number of diseases, including prostate cancer. This technology enables patients to be seen more quickly, which increases their likelihood of a successful outcome whilst simultaneously being more cost effective.

Through the AI in Health and Care Award, the Department has provided £113 million to test and evaluate AI technologies in crucial areas. Two of the tools funded by the AI award are Ibex Medical Analytics’ AI System and Paige Prostate Cancer Detection Tool. Both of these tools help with the early detection and grading of prostate cancer. Funding from the AI award helps to generate the evidence needed to deploy effective AI tools across the NHS and improve the lives and health outcomes of our population.