Artificial intelligence can help diagnose cancer with a single drop of dry blood

Scientists in China have used artificial intelligence to create a test that can detect cancer using a single spot of dried blood.

In a recent study focusing on pancreatic, stomach and colorectal cancer, researchers tested an artificial intelligence model on several hundred blood samples from people with cancer. And they found that the dried blood drop test is more accurate than current tests that use whole blood.

Compared with whole blood samples, dried blood tests were more thermally stable, less costly and faster to perform, took up less physical space, and were easier to transport, making them especially accessible to underserved populations and less developed countries where cancer is frequent have access to them. But before doctors can start using the test on their patients and make it available to everyone, they need to test the technology on thousands of people to confirm their findings.