A Welsh charity has launched the UK’s first prostate AI doctor and it is hoped it will encourage thousands more men come forward.
In its first week since launching, 160 men have used the Prostate Cymru initiative which is designed to help men who might be experiencing symptoms or simply want to better understand their risk or they have or have had cancer and want to find out more about treatments and recurrence risk.
Owen Pugsley from Prostate Cymru explains:
“We often find that men put off seeing their GP, they don’t want to ask for a test or there might be questions they don’t feel comfortable asking in person. We’ve designed the AI doctor to help overcome these barriers and help more men get the advice they need.”
Prostate cancer affects 1 in 8 men. This risk increases to 1 in 3 if there is a family history and 1 in 4 if you’re a black man. And 64,000 men in the UK are diagnosed with prostate cancer every year.
The charity is keen to reassure people that the AI doctor isn’t just a generic chatbot. Owen adds:
“It has been rigorously trained on current guidelines from NICE (National Institute for Health and Care Excellence), NHS Wales and Public Health bodies. This ensures that every piece of advice and information given out is clinically accurate and safe. And behind the scenes, our dedicated team of specialist urological consultants and specialist nurses are monitoring conversations.
“It doesn’t replace traditional consultations and it can’t provide you with a PSA test, but it is a safe, extra resource that can help guide men towards appropriate, professional medical care when necessary. And they can get advice at any time of the day so we’re hoping that men who might find it difficult to find the time to book an appointment, will visit our AI doctor.”
The type of questions that men have asked so far include:
- I am on active surveillance. How often should I have an MRI?
- I had a prostatectomy a few years ago but my PSA has risen again. Do I still have cancer?
- How often should I ask for a PSA test?
- Why is my PSA rising after radiation therapy? Is that ok?
- Is erectile dysfunction a symptom of prostate cancer? Is there anything that could help?
- Is testosterone replacement therapy too risky if you have slow growing prostate cancer?
- I have a PSA of 18. Do I have cancer?
Dean Hopkins from Swansea was diagnosed with stage three prostate cancer in 2014. He believes the AI nurse is a positive for men in Wales:
“I know some men can feel awkward going to their GP and asking questions, so it’s great that you can questions at any time of the day. If it helps men be more aware of their risk so that has to be a good thing. When you’re told you have cancer, you are in fight or flight – or fright actually – and you don’t always think of the questions you’d like to ask when you’re in an appointment. And when you get home, googling can be the worst thing to do. But this AI doctor is different. It’s like talking to a team of specialists. You can input the information you get from your Oncology team and have it explained to you.”
The AI doctor is now live and available at www.prostatecymru.com. Prostate Cymru has also launched a 30-second risk checker.
Feature image: Dean Hopkins from Swansea, who was diagnosed with stage three prostate cancer in 2014.
