Cancer hope

There is much excitement about the prospect of transforming the diagnosis of cancer and other diseases using artificial intelligence on the back of a speech by Theresa May (your report, 21 May).

It is worth noting that Scotland is already investing in data projects to tackle cancer. The Cancer Innovation Challenge actively inspires novel data and tech innovations to help Scotland become a world leader in cancer care. It funds data companies to work with the NHS to develop new approaches to the diagnosis and treatment of cancer using advances in machine learning and automation to deliver better outcomes for patients.

A patient’s cancer journey leaves a data trail from diagnosis to treatment to recovery. The Challenge is working with health care professionals and patients to maximise the potential value of this data to support better outcomes.

Over the past year The Challenge has launched two key initiatives. The first is a challenge to develop new tools for cancer patient reported outcomes and experience measures; the second is a call to identify innovative cancer data science solutions. Both have seen inspiring responses to date, with projects working in partnership with NHS boards, clinicians and patient groups to progress their innovative projects. As such, Scotland is a unique test bed exploring how healthcare data can be used to help make better treatment decisions and better target resources through collaboration across health boards, industry, academia, patients, practitioners and cancer charities.

It is all about enhancing Scotland’s ongoing commitment to improving care for cancer patients.

DAVE FITCH Head of Operations of The

Data Lab & Programme Executive for The Cancer

Innovation Challenge University of Edinburgh South College St, Edinburgh