An innovative breast cancer test backed by artificial intelligence with the potential to detect disease at an earlier stage promises to deliver results in 10 minutes, without the radiation exposure of conventional mammograms.
Modern machines use low radiation doses to obtain high-quality X-ray images of breasts, but a Polish tech company has designed a test that eliminates that exposure.
Ailis, currently in its clinical trial stage, is a functional imaging method that measures thermal changes in breast tissue and its surroundings. It potentially offers an alternative method of breast screening that could be more portable, offering wider access to tests and a more comfortable screening experience.
Our vision is a world in which breast cancer is no longer a life-threatening disease
Michał Matuszewski,
Ailis's co-creator
Developed by a team of innovators in Krakow, it is hoped the test will encourage more women to get checked as it avoids breast compression and is delivered in a soothing environment to alleviate anxiety.
In many breast cancers, increased metabolic activity and blood flow supply the tumour with nutrients.
Using parametric imaging, the Ailis system examines the surface of the body for thermal activity that could signal the presence of a tumour.
Meanwhile, AI-powered image analysis automatically screens patients to identify those most at risk.
“Our priority was to create an innovative device in which women would want to undergo examinations,” said Michał Matuszewski, the system’s co-creator and chief executive of Ailis.
“We conducted numerous studies and interviews around the world to gather their expectations.
“Our vision is a world in which breast cancer is no longer a life-threatening disease. If detected at a very early stage, the chance of recovery is currently up to 99 per cent.
“By introducing this cutting-edge device to the market, we are creating a new paradigm for both breast examination and, most importantly, almost immediate results.”
Alternative approach
The approach taken by Ailis is different from standard anatomical imaging techniques like mammography or ultrasound, which rely on structural changes in breast tissue.
The method aims to detect functional, metabolic changes that often precede visible anatomical differences, potentially enabling earlier detection.
Women were enrolled in the design process, to understand preferences, and what they disliked about traditional mammograms.
Mr Matuszewski said the system’s non-invasive approach was more suitable for frequent examinations.
“The possibility of frequent examinations without any negative consequences for health, performing them painlessly, comfortably and outside doctors' offices is a reality that is already coming,” he said.
A similar AI tool to detect breast cancer has been successfully implemented in the NHS in the UK.
The tool, called “Mia”, correctly identified signs of breast cancer in 11 women missed by doctors who checked more than 10,000 mammograms.
As part of a pilot test alongside clinicians, Mia proved effective in detecting particularly small tumours of around 6mm that can be difficult to spot, but are easy to treat with excellent outcomes.
Dr Nyla Khan, a consultant diagnostic and interventional breast radiologist at Burjeel Medical City, Abu Dhabi, said the Mia application can supplement the work of doctors.
“Health care is moving more towards how AI can help us,” she said.
“It won't replace healthcare professionals, but it will definitely flag up and prioritise mammograms which need to be looked at more urgently.
“A mammogram compresses the breast tissue, so there is a perceived discomfort, especially around smaller breast tissue.
“Mia won't replace healthcare providers because you still need the radiologist but it can help find one with an urgent finding.”
Breast cancer is the most common malignancy and the second-leading cause of cancer death among women, with the World Health Organisation predicting a 77 per cent increase in cases by 2050.
Global goals
Goals set by the WHO call on all countries to aim for 60 per cent of breast cancers to be detected in early stages one and two, to ensure the best chance of recovery.
Screening in remote, rural areas is a key challenge in developing nations, preventing many from hitting survival targets.
In Africa, the mortality rate of women living 50km or further from treatment hospitals for screening is twice those living in urban areas of five sub-Saharan countries, research published in The Lancet Global Health showed.
The study by the International Agency for Research on Cancer and partner institutions also found differences in mortality rates among women with early stage, potentially treatable disease in Namibia, Nigeria, South Africa, Uganda and Zambia.
“Access to health care is a big factor,” said Dr Khan.
“In urban areas, you've got good facilities and access to a number of hospitals.
“But in those rural, less developed communities, you've got transportation barriers and a limitation on the number of screening centres available, often with long waiting times.
“Any new effective technology that’s portable would be very helpful.”
The five pillars of Islam
KILLING OF QASSEM SULEIMANI
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RESULT
Esperance de Tunis 1 Guadalajara 1
(Esperance won 6-5 on penalties)
Esperance: Belaili 38’
Guadalajara: Sandoval 5’
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The five stages of early child’s play
From Dubai-based clinical psychologist Daniella Salazar:
1. Solitary Play: This is where Infants and toddlers start to play on their own without seeming to notice the people around them. This is the beginning of play.
2. Onlooker play: This occurs where the toddler enjoys watching other people play. There doesn’t necessarily need to be any effort to begin play. They are learning how to imitate behaviours from others. This type of play may also appear in children who are more shy and introverted.
3. Parallel Play: This generally starts when children begin playing side-by-side without any interaction. Even though they aren’t physically interacting they are paying attention to each other. This is the beginning of the desire to be with other children.
4. Associative Play: At around age four or five, children become more interested in each other than in toys and begin to interact more. In this stage children start asking questions and talking about the different activities they are engaging in. They realise they have similar goals in play such as building a tower or playing with cars.
5. Social Play: In this stage children are starting to socialise more. They begin to share ideas and follow certain rules in a game. They slowly learn the definition of teamwork. They get to engage in basic social skills and interests begin to lead social interactions.
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The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.
Read part four: an affection for classic cars lives on
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The five pillars of Islam
1. Fasting
2. Prayer
3. Hajj
4. Shahada
5. Zakat
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Story%20behind%20the%20UAE%20flag
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- Financial well-being incentives
Zayed Sustainability Prize
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The biog
Siblings: five brothers and one sister
Education: Bachelors in Political Science at the University of Minnesota
Interests: Swimming, tennis and the gym
Favourite place: UAE
Favourite packet food on the trip: pasta primavera
What he did to pass the time during the trip: listen to audio books
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
KILLING OF QASSEM SULEIMANI
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The biog
Favourite film: The Notebook
Favourite book: What I know for sure by Oprah Winfrey
Favourite quote: “Social equality is the only basis of human happiness” Nelson Madela. Hometown: Emmen, The Netherlands
Favourite activities: Walking on the beach, eating at restaurants and spending time with friends
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Joker: Folie a Deux
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Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
DIVINE%20INTERVENTOIN
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Key figures in the life of the fort
Sheikh Dhiyab bin Isa (ruled 1761-1793) Built Qasr Al Hosn as a watchtower to guard over the only freshwater well on Abu Dhabi island.
Sheikh Shakhbut bin Dhiyab (ruled 1793-1816) Expanded the tower into a small fort and transferred his ruling place of residence from Liwa Oasis to the fort on the island.
Sheikh Tahnoon bin Shakhbut (ruled 1818-1833) Expanded Qasr Al Hosn further as Abu Dhabi grew from a small village of palm huts to a town of more than 5,000 inhabitants.
Sheikh Khalifa bin Shakhbut (ruled 1833-1845) Repaired and fortified the fort.
Sheikh Saeed bin Tahnoon (ruled 1845-1855) Turned Qasr Al Hosn into a strong two-storied structure.
Sheikh Zayed bin Khalifa (ruled 1855-1909) Expanded Qasr Al Hosn further to reflect the emirate's increasing prominence.
Sheikh Shakhbut bin Sultan (ruled 1928-1966) Renovated and enlarged Qasr Al Hosn, adding a decorative arch and two new villas.
Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan (ruled 1966-2004) Moved the royal residence to Al Manhal palace and kept his diwan at Qasr Al Hosn.
Sources: Jayanti Maitra, www.adach.ae
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Trans fat is typically found in fried and baked goods, but you may be consuming more than you think.
Powdered coffee creamer, microwave popcorn and virtually anything processed with a crust is likely to contain it, as this guide from Mayo Clinic outlines:
Baked goods - Most cakes, cookies, pie crusts and crackers contain shortening, which is usually made from partially hydrogenated vegetable oil. Ready-made frosting is another source of trans fat.
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Fried food - Foods that require deep frying — french fries, doughnuts and fried chicken — can contain trans fat from the oil used in the cooking process.
Refrigerator dough - Products such as canned biscuits and cinnamon rolls often contain trans fat, as do frozen pizza crusts.
Creamer and margarine - Nondairy coffee creamer and stick margarines also may contain partially hydrogenated vegetable oils.
The five pillars of Islam
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Where to submit a sample
Volunteers of all ages can submit DNA samples at centres across Abu Dhabi, including: Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (Adnec), Biogenix Labs in Masdar City, NMC Royal Hospital in Khalifa City, NMC Royal Medical Centre, Abu Dhabi, NMC Royal Women's Hospital, Bareen International Hospital, Al Towayya in Al Ain, NMC Specialty Hospital, Al Ain
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Guns N’ Roses’s last gig before Abu Dhabi was in Hong Kong on November 21. We were there – and here’s what they played, and in what order. You were warned.
- It’s So Easy
- Mr Brownstone
- Chinese Democracy
- Welcome to the Jungle
- Double Talkin’ Jive
- Better
- Estranged
- Live and Let Die (Wings cover)
- Slither (Velvet Revolver cover)
- Rocket Queen
- You Could Be Mine
- Shadow of Your Love
- Attitude (Misfits cover)
- Civil War
- Coma
- Love Theme from The Godfather (movie cover)
- Sweet Child O’ Mine
- Wichita Lineman (Jimmy Webb cover)
- Wish You Were Here (instrumental Pink Floyd cover)
- November Rain
- Black Hole Sun (Soundgarden cover)
- Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door (Bob Dylan cover)
- Nightrain
Encore:
- Patience
- Don’t Cry
- The Seeker (The Who cover)
- Paradise City
