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Punjab’s AI-Driven Breast Cancer Screening Boosts Detection Rates Threefold

Written by : Jayati Dubey

January 16, 2025

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Across 183 locations in all 23 districts of Punjab, 15,069 women underwent screening using the AI-powered Thermalytix tool.

Punjab’s innovative artificial intelligence (AI)-powered breast cancer screening initiative has significantly increased detection rates compared to traditional clinical tests.

The project recorded an age-adjusted incidence (AAI) rate of 120.94 per lakh, far surpassing the 38-48 per lakh range achieved by the National Programme for Prevention and Control of Non-Communicable Diseases (NPCDCS).

AI Screening Using Thermalytix

Across 183 locations in all 23 districts of Punjab, 15,069 women underwent screening using the AI-powered Thermalytix tool.

The average participant age was 41 years, with 78.3% under the age of 50.

The AI system categorized participants into five risk levels, recommending high-risk individuals for diagnostic imaging.

Out of the 15,069 participants, 460 were identified for follow-up imaging. Patient navigators contacted 455 women, though five were unreachable due to incorrect contact details.

Among the 268 women who provided follow-up information, imaging reports were available for 150, and 64 radiological findings were detected.

Histopathology confirmed breast cancer in 27 cases, resulting in a crude incidence rate of 183.21 per lakh and an AAI of 120.94 per lakh among women aged 30 and above.

Rising Breast Cancer Cases in Punjab

Punjab is grappling with a growing breast cancer burden.

Data from four population-based cancer registries in Sangrur, Mansa, Mohali, and Patiala reveal a 7% increase in cases from 39,521 in 2021 to 42,288 in 2024.

Breast cancer now accounts for 30% of all cancer cases among women in the state, with an AAI rate of 37.5 per 100,000—the highest in India.

Despite this alarming trend, underreporting in rural areas remains a challenge, as registries cover only 16.4% of Punjab’s population.

Impact & Future Potential

The project achieved a recall rate of 3.1%, with symptomatic women showing a higher recall rate of 7.8% compared to 1% for asymptomatic participants.

Positive predictive values were 11.3% for symptomatic individuals and 4.3% for asymptomatic participants.

The initiative was spearheaded by officials including Dr. Karthik Adapa (on deputation to WHO), Dr. Ashu Gupta, Dr. Sandeep Singh, Dr. Hitinder Kaur, Dr. Abhinav Trikha, Ajoy Sharma, and Kumar Rahul.

Experts emphasize that scaling up the initiative will be crucial to reducing breast cancer mortality rates and establishing Punjab as a pioneer in AI-driven healthcare innovation.

Stay tuned for more such updates on Digital Health News.


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