Fabio Ynoe de Moraes: Transforming Oncology Care in Latin America with AI
Fabio Ynoe de Moraes, Associate Professor and clinical investigator in radiation oncology and global oncology at Queen’s University and Kingston Health Sciences Centre in Kingston, shared a post on LinkedIn:
“Our new piece is out!
Transforming Oncology Care in Latin America with AI.
The Challenge:-
- Cancer Growth : Global cancer cases hit 20 million in 2022 and are expected to rise to 33.1 million by 2050.
- Workforce Shortages : Latin America faces significant shortages of oncology professionals:
- Brazil Example : In 2022, Brazil lacked 960 radiation oncologists and 359 medical physicists.
- Urban Concentration : Resources are mostly in cities like São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro, leaving rural areas underserved.
AI Solutions:-
AI Applications : AI supports clinical decisions, diagnoses, treatment planning, and patient coordination.
Examples :
- AI-enabled ultrasound triage in Mexico reduced sonographer workload.
- Automated radiation treatment planning sped up work in South Africa.
- AI CT screening helped triage COVID-19 patients in Ecuador.
AI diagnostics supported rural clinics in China.
Infrastructure Needs : Facilities with low tech capacity saw increased workloads, highlighting the need for supportive infrastructure.
Reducing Disparities:-
- AI Benefits : AI can level practitioner knowledge between urban and rural areas.
- Language Barriers : Large language models like GPT-4 can translate and improve text clarity, aiding research from low- and middle-income countries (LMICs).
- Research Inequality : Only 13% of cancer research is conducted in LMICs, emphasizing the need for investment.
Trust and Validation:-
- AI Trust Issues : Concerns about AI’s “black box” nature limit trust.
- Validation Needed : Prospective studies are crucial to demonstrate AI’s real-world utility.
Recommendations:-
- Investment : Strengthen data infrastructure and centralize regional data repositories.
- Training : Specialized AI training and education are essential.
- Collaboration : Partner with international institutions and integrate AI literacy into oncology programs.
- Regulation : Develop frameworks for data privacy and AI safety.
By leveraging AI, Latin America can address workforce shortages and enhance cancer care delivery across the region.
Please join the conversation.”
Transforming oncology care in Latin America: artificial intelligence-driven solutions to bridge workforce gaps.
Authors: Fabio Y Moraes, et al.
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