Artificial intelligence and mobile microscopy for cervical cancer screening in resource-limited settings - a validation study

Our research group has developed and conducted proof-of-concept studies of a novel method that combines artificial intelligence (AI) and mobile digital microscopy for cell-based cervical cancer screening in resource-limited settings.

The mobile microscopes are wirelessly connected via mobile networks for AI-based analysis and provide access to diagnostics where there is a lack of medical experts.

We now intend to scale up the use of the new diagnostic method in the form of a validation study in Tanzania with the aim of detecting premalignant changes for the purpose of cervical cancer screening and prevention.

During 2022-2023 a total of 1,500 cervical smears will be collected and digitized with mobile microscope scanners and premalignant cells detected with a deep learning algorithm. Suspected abnormal cells are verified by a pathologist and treated.

In 2023-24 the method´s diagnostic accuracy, technical feasibility, cost and time per test, and acceptance of the AI method is evaluated and compared to conventional diagnostics.Throughout the project, opportunities for larger scale implementation of the diagnostic platform in East Africa are evaluated, with the ultimate goal of achieving sustainable solutions for low-resource settings.The methods have great potential to improve equitable and sustainable access to high-quality diagnostics for cervical cancer screening among women residing in low- and middle income countries, carrying the highest cervical cancer burden globally.