AI tool for cancer detection to be trialled at seven NHS hospitals

An AI-powered tool designed for prostate cancer detection, QP-Prostate by Quibim, has been selected for rollout across seven NHS hospitals in England.

This two-year initiative, announced on 9 July 2025, aims to enhance early diagnosis of prostate cancer, which is the most common cancer among men in the UK.

The QP-Prostate software assists radiologists by automatically identifying suspicious areas within prostate MRI scans.

According to Quibim, early clinical data suggests that the tool can contribute to detecting an additional 10.6% of early-stage prostate cancers, which aligns with the NHS Long Term Plan’s objective to increase early diagnosis rates to 75% by 2028.

Dr Ángel Alberich-Bayarri, chief executive of Quibim, said: “This NHS rollout is a major milestone in our mission to improve cancer diagnostics through AI.

“We’re proud to support the NHS in advancing early detection and addressing health inequalities in prostate cancer care.

“By empowering radiologists with AI, we can help ensure more men are diagnosed earlier, when their chances of survival are highest.”

The project will involve over 3,000 patients and various locations, with the seven NHS hospitals not yet announced.

Over the two years, the project will assess increases in prostate cancer diagnoses and early-stage detections, and the cost-effectiveness and long-term impact on NHS resources.

Additionally, a key aspect of the evaluation is the potential of AI to address diagnostic disparities, particularly for black men who experience a higher risk and mortality rate from prostate cancer.

The rollout also plans to engage with the public and patients to understand their perspectives on AI in healthcare and ensure its ethical deployment.

David Bazaga, vice president of product at Quibim, said: “QP-Prostate was designed to seamlessly integrate into radiology workflows and deliver real clinical value.

“This opportunity will allow us to demonstrate how AI can enhance diagnostic confidence, reduce variability, and support more equitable access to high-quality prostate cancer care.”

The initiative is facilitated by the Small Business Research Initiative (SBRI), which supports the NHS in adopting innovative technologies. The work is commissioned and funded by the NHS Cancer Programme, with additional support from SBRI Healthcare and the Accelerated Access Collaborative.

Meanwhile, an AI tool for prostate cancer diagnosis was trialled at Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust in August 2024. The one-month trial was to determine the effectiveness of the Prostate Intelligence tool from Lucida Medical.