AstraZeneca Philippines, the Cancer Coalition of the Philippines, and the Philippine Business for Social Progress entered a memorandum of agreement for a program aimed at early detection of lung cancer using artificial intelligence-assisted chest x-ray technology.
The “Screen to Beat Lung Cancer” program targets to screen at least 500,000 Filipino patients until next year.
The collaboration aims to eliminate lung cancer as the number one cause of death among cancer types in the Philippines.
This shall be done through end-to-end lung cancer ecosystem solutions with a shift towards earlier diagnosis and equitable access to cancer care.
Lung cancer’s high mortality rate and low survival rate, mainly determined by the stage at diagnosis, is a challenge to Filipino patients having low access to early screening.
Studies showed that about 60 percent of lung cancer cases are already in the advanced setting, significantly decreasing the five-year survival to 2.9 percent.
“AstraZeneca is committed in creating value for society beyond the impact of our life-changing medicines through early detection, education, treatment, and post-treatment support. As lung cancer remains one of the deadliest cancer types, we are steadfast in providing better chance at cure and equitable cancer care through our collaboration with PBSP and CCPH,“ said AstraZeneca Philippines country Lotis Ramin president.
Studies further showed that the earlier the disease gets diagnosed, the better the survival rate becomes, with stage III non-small cell lung cancer having a five-year survival rate ranging from 13 percent to 36 percent; while in stage I NSCLC, it can be as high as 68 percent to 92 percent.
PBSP has been helping companies and organizations reduce morbidity and mortality, improve nutrition, and achieve universal health coverage among poor families.
PBSP will co-lead with CCCPH for the development of relations and coordination with government stakeholders in advocating Screen to Beat Lung Cancer program.
Meanwhile, CCPH will provide technical expertise in the development and implementation of the program specifically in patient management and referral, for specialty care, and public awareness activities for prevention, early screening, and proper management of lung cancer.
In the Philippines, where lung cancer is often misdiagnosed as tuberculosis due to their similar presentation such as coughing, chest pain, difficulty breathing, and common x-ray findings, the Screen to Beat Lung Cancer program is vital.
This misdiagnosis can lead to delayed diagnosis and treatment of lung cancer, which reduces a patient’s chances of survival.
By incorporating lung cancer screening into PBSP’s existing TB screening initiatives and using Artificial Intelligence-assisted chest x-ray technology, this program aims to improve the accuracy of diagnosis and save more lives through early detection.
The program will make use of Qure.AI’s qXR, an AI-powered diagnostic tool designed to assist in detecting chest x-ray abnormalities including pulmonary TB and lung nodules that could indicate lung cancer.
Studies have demonstrated the high sensitivity and specificity of qXR in detecting lung nodules.
The World Health Organization recommended the use of qXR for preliminary TB screening and by pairing the qXR TB solution with lung cancer detection, there is an opportunity for synergy and increased value in diagnosing both diseases early.
Aligned with its global Lung Ambition Alliance goals, AstraZeneca Philippines will provide technical and financial assistance in the development and implementation of Qure.AI’s qXR, while PBSP will provide their existing TB screening modalities, including mobile clinics with digital x-ray machines, to incorporate lung cancer screening. CCCPH will further develop early lung cancer detection and patient awareness and education programs with AstraZeneca Philippines.
