Wellness Blog

“If there’s cancer, I want it found early. But should I trust AI to help with that?”

That’s the question that people ask today. If you're someone who keeps up with routine screenings, or if a loved one has faced cancer, you know the value of early cancer detection.

You also know that early detection often depends on how good the scan is and how well the imaging is interpreted. With the rise of AI in cancer imaging, that conversation is evolving fast.

You may have heard that AI is being used to help detect cancer earlier. Maybe your doctor mentioned it, or you read a headline.

But if your first reaction was –

1. Is a machine now deciding if I have cancer?
2. Can it be trusted?
3. Am I going to be treated like a case number instead of a person?
4. Is this going to cost more?

Then you’re exactly the kind of person this blog is for.

Because these are not small concerns. They’re the questions that matter when your health or a loved one’s is on the line.

In this blog, we’ll walk through what AI in cancer imaging really means for you and why it might actually give you more clarity and control, not less.

What is AI in Cancer Imaging, and What Role Does It Really Play? 

When you hear AI in imaging, you might think it's a robot or machine doing the surgery or diagnosing you. But it’s not.

AI is just used as a tool by the radiologist or doctor to help them review medical images more thoroughly and efficiently. This approach to AI-assisted diagnosis is already becoming standard in leading hospitals. It’s used for:

1. Mammograms (for breast cancer detection)

2.Chest CTs and X-rays (for lung cancer and more)

3.MRI scans (for brain, prostate, and soft tissue cancers)

AI helps the radiologist by scanning for small changes – shadows, spots, or patterns that can be easy to miss, especially in early stages.

AI doesn’t diagnose, make decisions, or talk to patients. Every scan is still interpreted by a human radiologist – someone trained, experienced, and responsible for explaining the results. The AI just helps them avoid missing anything important.

Can AI Actually Make Scans More Accurate, or Is It Just Marketing?

This is a valid question. So let’s look at real evidence – 

1. A 2020 study posted in The Journal of Breast Cancer found that AI for breast cancer detection matched or outperformed radiologists, particularly in identifying subtle lesions in dense breast tissue.
2. In lung cancer, an AI model detected cancer risk with 94.4% performance and supported radiologists with better results than traditional methods, which is clear proof of the benefits of AI in healthcare.
3. In breast cancer, DeepHealth’s AI-powered breast screening solution is proving to increase detection rates by an impressive 21% with powerful diagnostic assistance.

AI isn’t perfect. But when it’s used with human expertise, it helps spot things earlier and more consistently than doing it alone

Behind Every Scan – How AI and Radiologists Work Together at GKNM

When you come in for a scan – Be it a mammogram, CT, or MRI, you want to know one thing: “Is someone paying close attention to this?”

At GKNM Hospital, the answer is yes. The diagnosis goes through two powerful layers of attention that work together to give you the most accurate and timely insight possible.

Here’s how it works:

1. AI technology reviews your scan first, scanning every pixel for signs of concern to spot patterns and subtle changes that may be too small to see at a glance.
2. Then, a highly experienced radiologist reviews your scan in full, not just confirming what the AI flagged, but using their clinical training to assess your case as a whole.

You are not just a case or a scan. You are a person with questions and concerns, and that deserves full attention. And that’s exactly how we approach every scan – with empathy, accuracy, and human judgement supported by smart technology.

So when you leave our imaging centre, you can be confident knowing your results were looked at by more than one expert, and that both technology and people worked together to prioritise your health.

Is It Safe To Use AI in Diagnosing Cancer?

So if you’ve wondered, “Is it safe to rely on AI in medical imaging?” and "How accurate is AI in cancer detection?", the answer is - they are increasingly accurate, but only if the system is clinically approved.

Medical diagnostics in hospitals only use AI tools that are approved by global regulatory bodies like the Central Drugs Standards Control Organisation (CDSCO) and validated through strict reviews and clinical trials. These systems are continuously evaluated for safety, accuracy, and performance in real-world conditions.

We also follow a strict internal review and audit process to ensure that AI tools are integrated responsibly into our diagnostic practices. Our radiologists are trained to interpret AI-supported scans with a full understanding of the system’s capabilities and limitations.

When it comes to data privacy, a concern we take very seriously, we ensure that –

1. Your scan data is encrypted and anonymised.
2. We do not share, sell, or disclose patient information to any third parties.
3. Access is restricted and monitored under strict protocols.

Because when your health or your loved one’s is on the line, safety, accuracy, and privacy aren’t extras. They’re essential.

Will AI Imaging Cost More than Traditional Imaging?

You might think, “If it’s AI, then the cost is definitely going to be higher.” But in reality –

In most hospitals, AI-assisted imaging is included in your routine scan at no extra charge. AI is typically built into the imaging system as a decision-support layer. It doesn’t require separate infrastructure or manual fees.

And if you’re covered by insurance? AI-assisted scans are billed the same way as regular scans.

In fact, AI may save you money in the long run by:

1. Reducing the need for repeated scans
2. Avoiding unnecessary biopsies
3. Catching cancer earlier (which lowers treatment costs)

Don’t worry, you won’t have to pay anything extra. It's just a better way to diagnose and build a better healthcare system. 

What Makes AI Imaging Different from a Regular Scan?

From the outside, an AI-powered scan looks just like any other. You lie still. The machine captures detailed images. It feels routine, and it should.

What’s different happens after the scan.

With AI, the image doesn’t just go to one person. It’s also examined by a system that has learnt to recognise thousands of subtle variations in how early cancers might appear. 

In a regular scan, a radiologist relies solely on their own interpretation. In an AI-assisted scan, they get a second opinion – instantly, silently, and with extraordinary precision.

The result isn’t a different scan; it’s a stronger review, built to help radiologists be more thorough, more confident, and more aligned with the latest diagnostic standards.

How Accessible Is AI Imaging and Can I Request It?

You may be asking – “Is this something only top-tier or private hospitals offer? Or can anyone access it?”

AI in cancer imaging is becoming more available in India and globally, particularly in hospitals focused on cancer screening technology and innovation. It's often built into existing imaging systems, meaning you might already be benefiting from it, without even realising it.

You don’t need to “request” AI for it to help. In hospitals where it’s integrated, it’s simply part of the process. But asking a few key questions can still help you stay informed:

1. “Is AI used to assist in reading scans here?”
2. “How do your radiologists use AI findings during review?”
3. “Is this part of standard care or only for certain cases?”

Conclusion: A Quiet Shift That Can Make a Big Difference

You may not see it, but AI is there, quietly double-checking your scan so your care team can focus on what matters – getting answers right, early.

It’s about reinforcing human care, so that when something matters, like catching cancer early – you can feel confident knowing your scan got the closest possible look.

At GKNM Hospital, that’s how we approach every scan – combining technology, expertise, and attention that puts patients first, always.

Reach out to our experts today and detect cancer possibilities early.