A study published in the British Journal of General Practice on April 21, 2025, investigated the use of artificial intelligence (AI) to improve early detection of lung cancer in general practice settings. The research, conducted by Martijn C. Schut and colleagues from Amsterdam University Medical Centers, focused on analyzing electronic patient records to identify early signs of lung cancer.
The study developed an AI-based tool that analyzes free-text entries in electronic health records (EHRs) to detect patterns associated with early lung cancer symptoms. By examining unstructured clinical notes, the AI system aimed to identify subtle indicators that might not prompt immediate clinical suspicion.
The researchers applied the AI model to a large dataset of patient records from general practices. The tool demonstrated the ability to flag cases that were later diagnosed as lung cancer, suggesting potential for earlier detection compared to standard diagnostic practices.
The study concludes that integrating AI tools into general practice EHR systems could support clinicians in identifying patients at risk of lung cancer earlier, potentially leading to timely interventions. The authors recommend further research to validate the tool’s effectiveness across diverse clinical settings and to assess its impact on patient outcomes.
