Breast cancer patients at Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust (HDFT) are set to benefit from faster diagnosis and treatment decisions thanks to pioneering new technology.
HDFT has become the first NHS Trust to introduce an artificial intelligence (AI) enabled HER2 tissue scanning system for clinical use. This marks an exciting step forward in breast cancer diagnostics and will help clinicians deliver results more quickly.
Harrogate Hospital & Community Charity (HHCC) funded the new scanner after raising more than £40,000 through its 30th Birthday Campaign. The Histopathology Department at Harrogate District Hospital will use the Roche scanner to assess breast cancer tissue samples more efficiently.
The scanner captures high-resolution digital images of tissue samples. It then uses an advanced AI-powered algorithm to help pathologists assess HER2 status, a key factor in determining whether a patient may benefit from targeted drug treatments.
The technology identifies whether the HER2/neu gene is present in a patient’s tissue sample. As a result, pathologists can review samples more quickly while maintaining expert clinical oversight throughout the process.
Receiving results sooner allows clinicians to make treatment decisions faster. This can improve outcomes for patients while also reducing anxiety during an already challenging time.
Thanks to the generosity of HHCC supporters, local patients are among the first in the country to benefit from this innovative technology.
HDFT continues to expand its use of new technologies to improve patient care and services. For example, clinicians already use AI software in several specialties. These tools help speed up fracture diagnosis and improve the efficiency and accuracy of chest X-rays, particularly when investigating conditions such as lung cancer.
Philippa Bleasdale, Histology Section Manager said “It was wonderful to see the scanner and AI software being installed in the department after all the efforts of HHCC and the Histopathology team.
This project has been a labour of love and will make a real difference for patients by delivering results more quickly and supporting faster treatment decisions.
Whilst this technology will initially be used to improve the pathway for breast cancer patients, in the future it is hoped it can be used to assist with the interpretation of other biomarkers for different cancers, such as lung cancer.
I would like to thank everyone who has worked on this campaign and to all our generous donors, who have made it possible.
Yvonne Campbell, Head of Charity at HDFT said
We are delighted to be able to support the Histopathology Department with this incredible piece of diagnostic equipment enabling earlier diagnosis and onset of treatment for patients at Harrogate District Hospital.
This has only been possible through the generosity of our donors and supporters, who got behind our 30th Birthday Campaign and helped us raise more than £40,000 for this groundbreaking technology.
Our mission is to enhance healthcare for our patients, families and communities, being able to provide cutting edge technology closer to homes and improving the outcomes for those who access our services.
We are incredibly grateful for the support we receive every day from patients, their families and the wider community. Without that support, projects like this would not be possible.
