Thousands of patients are set to benefit from pioneering new cancer-detecting technology being backed by the NHS.
Almost £10million has been awarded after the NHS ran an open call for innovative cancer technologies last year.
Projects to receive funding include an endoscope-smartphone adapter than can turn an iPhone into a diagnostic tool for head and neck cancer; an artificial intelligence (AI) system that spots signs of lung cancer sooner and a blood test for diagnosing cancers.
The AI-powered PinPoint smart blood test will allow one in five patients to be ruled out of having one of the nine most common cancers, including breast, gynaecological, skin and head and neck cancers.
Each project is being fast-tracked by the NHS to detect their efficacy in a real-world setting.
Professor Peter Johnson, Clinical Director of the NHS Cancer Programme, said:
“Working out how to make use of ground-breaking ideas like the PinPoint test is key to improving outcomes for people with cancer.
“The companies and hospitals pioneering these innovative ideas are leading the way, and will help us to diagnose cancer earlier when it is easier to treat – potentially saving thousands of lives.
“Today’s development funding, which is part of our open call initiative, is just one of many opportunities to attract and fast-track high quality innovations into the NHS, supporting the ambitions of the NHS Long Term Plan and vitally, improving care for our patients.”
A record 246,000 people were checked for cancer in November 2021, according to NHS data – three times more than at the beginning of the pandemic.
Other projects that successfully bid for funding will be using digital technologies to detect cancers quicker, better organise services and reduce NHS costs.
Professor Richard Gilbertson, Chair of the NHS Innovation External Advisory Board, said:
“There has never been a more exciting and inspiring time to work in cancer research and treatment. The NHS is an incredible organisation, providing joined-up healthcare to an entire nation through a single system.
“This affords us with a unique opportunity to partner with experts in academia and industry, and bring the latest innovations in early cancer diagnosis and intervention to patients quicker.
“The projects supported by these awards are the first of many new devices and diagnostics that we hope will bring us closer to the day when no patient dies of cancer.”
According to Cancer Research UK, most types of cancer become more common as we get older.
Half of all cancers are in people aged 70 and above.