Lunit’s AI solution enhances Qatar’s national breast cancer screening program

Provider of AI-powered solutions for cancer diagnostics and therapeutics Lunit has recently announced the implementation of its AI-powered breast cancer detection solution, Lunit INSIGHT MMG, in Qatar's national breast cancer screening program.

This marks the first nationwide adoption of AI in a national-level breast screening workflow in the Middle East. The partnership, set for an initial period of five years, demonstrates a long-term commitment to advancing breast cancer screening in Qatar.

How does it work?

Starting June 2024, Qatar's Primary Health Care Corporation (PHCC) has integrated Lunit INSIGHT MMG into its "Screen for Life" program, the country's national breast and bowel cancer screening initiative. The AI solution aims to enhance early detection of breast cancer, potentially reducing missed diagnoses and improving survival rates in Qatar's triennial screening program.

The implementation follows a successful retrospective validation phase that began in March 2023. Satisfied with the performance and added value, two radiologists now read each mammogram while referring to Lunit INSIGHT MMG's results, improving accuracy and efficiency in the screening process.

On the record

"Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women in Qatar, accounting for 32% of all female cancer cases," said Dr. Sheikha Abu Sheikha, Director of Early Detection Programs at PHCC. "To address this, we're integrating Lunit's AI as a crucial second opinion for our radiologists. As the first country in the Middle East to implement AI across the entire screening program, we're reinforcing Qatar's commitment to high-quality healthcare for women across the country."

"Our collaboration with Qatar's PHCC for the 'Screen for Life' will equip healthcare providers with a powerful new tool to enhance medical diagnostics," said Brandon Suh, CEO of Lunit. "As we expand into national screening programs worldwide, we're enhancing early cancer detection and reshaping preventive care. Each implementation brings us closer to our vision of making AI-assisted cancer screening more accurate and accessible to people around the world, regardless of their location."

The context

The "Screen for Life" program, implemented by Qatar's PHCC, is a national initiative offering free breast and bowel cancer screening to eligible residents. This cornerstone of Qatar's public health strategy aims to promote early detection through education, awareness, and accessible screening services.

In addition to Qatar, Lunit has also deployed its solution in other parts of the world, including Australia (BreastScreen New South Wales), Sweden (Capio S:t Göran Hospital), Saudi Arabia (Seha Virtual Hospital), and Iceland (for national breast screening).