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Can a Face Photo Predict Cancer Outcomes? · Morning Medical with Dr. Chow

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  Good morning and welcome to another episode of Morning Medical with Dr.
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  Chow.
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  I am your host, Chi-Ming Chow, and today we're diving into some fascinating developments in
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  the world of medical science.
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  We'll start by exploring a groundbreaking study that suggests a simple photograph might predict
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  cancer outcomes.
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  This research could change the way we approach diagnostics and treatment in the future.
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  A new study published in The Lancet medical journal explores the possibility of using a
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  simple face photograph to predict cancer outcomes.
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  This research is spearheaded by a team at the Mass General Brigham Cancer Institute, led by
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  Dr.
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  Raymond Mak, a radiation oncologist and faculty member in the Artificial Intelligence in
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  Medicine program.
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  Their findings suggest that artificial intelligence models can predict a person’s
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  biological age and their chances of surviving cancer treatment using just a facial
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  photograph.
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  The researchers trained their artificial intelligence models using a massive dataset
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  that included 40 million photographs, with hundreds of thousands labeled with ages.
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  Among these, they had access to over 30,000 cancer patient photos and their outcomes.
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  Dr.
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  Mak reveals that the artificial intelligence models were able to identify two distinct
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  health states from a single face photograph, which were highly prognostic when applied to
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  thousands of other cancer patients.
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  Interestingly, the study delved into how the model was making its predictions.
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  It turns out that the age estimation algorithm focused on areas like the temples, forehead,
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  and nasolabial fold, while the mortality prediction algorithm looked at the bridge of
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  the nose and the areas under the eyes.
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  At first glance, it might seem unusual to predict something as serious as cancer
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  mortality from a face photo, but Dr.
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  Mak points out that it's not entirely different from the subjective assessments that doctors
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  make in clinical settings every day.
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  This approach could potentially democratize healthcare, allowing anyone with a camera to
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  access these tests.
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  However, ethical concerns loom large.
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  Dr.
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  Mak and his team have considered the privacy implications of using facial data for such
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  predictions.
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  They stress the importance of engaging ethicists and regulatory bodies to establish
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  the right safeguards and prevent misuse of this technology.
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  Despite the promise, the study has its critics.
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  Miroslaw Bober, a professor of video processing and machine learning at the University of
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  Surrey, cautions that while the concept is promising, it is not yet ready for clinical
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  use.
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  He notes that the study did not demonstrate whether the artificial intelligence could
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  uncover insights beyond what doctors already assess about a patient's general health and
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  fitness.
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  Nevertheless, the excitement around this technology is palpable, with researchers
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  optimistic about its potential to identify new biomarkers for earlier diagnoses.
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  As the field evolves, the hope is that artificial intelligence could match expert
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  doctors in making accurate health predictions, thus aiding in more precise medical
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  interventions.
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  In a reassuring update from the Vatican, it has been announced that Pope Leo the Fourteenth
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  does not require any further treatment following his recent lung surgery.
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  The operation was performed to remove a cancerous growth, specifically a lung
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  adenocarcinoma.
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  Luckily, the disease was localized, meaning it had not spread beyond the initial site.
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  The Vatican confirmed this through a statement, sharing that subsequent oncological assessments
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  have affirmed no additional treatment is necessary.
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  Pope Leo, who is seventy-one years old, was discharged from Rome's Gemelli Hospital just
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  four days after his operation.
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  As he left, he took a moment to speak with well-wishers, showcasing his resilience and
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  spirit.
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  The surgery, which took place on October thirteenth, involved the removal of the lower
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  lobe of the Pope's right lung and lasted for ninety minutes.
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  Prior to the procedure, Pope Leo had informed the public during his weekly Sunday prayers
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  that a nodule had been discovered on his lung.
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  He expressed gratitude that it was detected early, allowing for timely intervention.
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  Just days after his surgery, images emerged of the Pope celebrating Mass from the hospital,
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  dressed in green vestments and standing behind a makeshift altar, demonstrating his commitment
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  to his faith and duties.
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  In addition to his recovery, Pope Leo has remained active in his role as a global leader.
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  On the same day he was seen celebrating Mass, the Vatican reported that he had spoken with
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  Russian President Vladimir Putin over the phone.
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  During their conversation, he urged for a ceasefire in the blockaded Russian-occupied
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  Ukrainian city of Oleshky to facilitate the delivery of food aid.
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  The pontiff also emphasized the importance of dialogue and peace.
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  A similar discussion took place with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky shortly
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  thereafter.
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  Pope Leo is eager to resume his duties fully and is particularly keen not to delay a planned
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  trip to Latin America in early November.
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  This determination underscores his commitment to his responsibilities and his desire to
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  continue his work despite recent health challenges.
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  In a remarkable show of solidarity, Ontario is sending twenty-eight health-care professionals
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  to Alberta to assist in the aftermath of a tragic fire at a military base.
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  This fire, which occurred at Canadian Forces Base Wainwright over the weekend, resulted in
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  the deaths of four soldiers and left thirty-nine others injured.
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  Premier Doug Ford of Ontario made this announcement, emphasizing the spirit of unity
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  that defines Canadians in times of crisis.
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  Premier Ford highlighted that the team from Ontario will include surgeons and nurses who
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  specialize in burn care.
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  In addition to the personnel, Ontario will also be sending essential equipment to aid in the
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  treatment of the injured soldiers.
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  This initiative reflects the cooperative nature of Canadian provinces, especially during
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  emergencies that strain local resources.
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  Alberta Premier Danielle Smith expressed her gratitude towards Premier Ford and the Ontario
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  team.
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  During a news conference, she revealed that among the injured, twelve patients have already
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  been discharged, while twenty-seven remain hospitalized.
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  Of these, thirteen are in critical condition, underscoring the severity of the situation.
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  Notably, three of the critically injured soldiers hail from Ontario, making this support
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  even more poignant.
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  The fire at Canadian Forces Base Wainwright has posed significant challenges to the local
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  health-care system.
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  Dr.
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  Alan David Rogers, a surgeon at the Ross Tilley Burn Centre at Sunnybrook Health Sciences
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  Centre in Toronto, shared with CBC Radio's Here and Now that such incidents can overwhelm even
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  the most prepared health-care systems globally.
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  He remarked on the excruciating nature of burn injuries, which require specialized and
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  dedicated care.
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  Dr.
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  Rogers noted that the response from Ontario is crucial in alleviating the strain on Alberta's
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  health-care resources.
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  He pointed out that most provinces have only a limited number of burn centres, typically with
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  just a few dedicated beds.
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  The influx of patients from this incident exceeds typical capacities, necessitating
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  on-the-spot planning and coordination to ensure proper care.
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  The Ontario team, including two surgeons from Sunnybrook and a group of skilled burn unit
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  nurses, is ready to deploy.
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  Their expertise in wound care will be invaluable, and a surgeon from Hamilton,
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  Ontario, is also prepared to assist.
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  The collaboration between Ontario and Alberta is a testament to the strength of Canadian
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  health-care professionals and their commitment to patient care.
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  The road to recovery for the injured soldiers will be long and arduous, involving multiple
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  surgeries and extensive rehabilitation.
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  The process demands an array of specialists, including dietitians, social workers,
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  psychologists, and surgeons.
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  As Alberta's medical staff work tirelessly, the additional support from Ontario is expected to
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  provide much-needed relief and assistance in managing the complex nature of burn injuries.
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  Our final segment today covers an exciting new clinical trial in the United Kingdom that aims
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  to accelerate the search for effective treatments for Alzheimer's disease.
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  This ambitious study, known as AD-SMART, will test multiple drugs simultaneously, starting
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  with two well-known medications: one for type two diabetes and the other for attention
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  deficit hyperactivity disorder.
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  This innovative approach could significantly shorten the time it takes to find treatments
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  that can alleviate symptoms such as memory and cognitive issues and help patients maintain
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  their quality of life.
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  Angela Bucksey, a sixty-seven-year-old from Cambridgeshire, has become the first
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  participant in this trial.
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  Diagnosed with Alzheimer's in January, Angela shared that she was not shocked by her
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  diagnosis, given her family's history with the disease.
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  However, she is determined not to let it define her.
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  By participating in the trial, Angela feels empowered and proactive, stating, "Instead of
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  just sitting there, you're standing up and saying, I will fight back."
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  Alzheimer's is the most common form of dementia, affecting around six hundred thousand
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  people in the United Kingdom.
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  Prime Minister Andy Burnham, who recently lost his father to Alzheimer's, expressed his
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  support for the trial, highlighting the importance of bringing cutting-edge treatments
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  to patients as quickly as possible.
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  The AD-SMART study employs a multi-arm, multi-stage platform trial design, allowing for
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  the testing of several treatments simultaneously.
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  This method increases the chances that participants will receive an active treatment
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  rather than a placebo, and it enables researchers to quickly discontinue any drugs
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  that do not show promise.
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  The initial drugs under investigation are metformin, used for type two diabetes, and
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  atomoxetine, an attention deficit hyperactivity disorder medication.
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  These drugs were chosen by an international panel of experts due to their potential to
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  reduce brain inflammation, a key factor in neurodegeneration, according to Professor
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  Paresh Malhotra, the chief investigator of the study.
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  Professor Malhotra emphasized the need for faster progress in Alzheimer's research, noting
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  that traditional approaches have often been slow, sometimes taking a decade or more to
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  yield results.
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  The trial aims to recruit twelve hundred participants with mild to moderate Alzheimer's
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  across more than thirty sites in the United Kingdom.
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  Locations in Cambridgeshire, Surrey, London, Southampton, and Edinburgh are already
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  operational.
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  Researchers expect to complete the evaluation of the first set of drugs by 2030, with
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  additional treatments likely to be incorporated over time.
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  Participants will undergo regular health assessments, including cognitive tests,
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  enabling scientists to evaluate the effectiveness of the treatments.
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  Angela Bucksey's husband, Steve, who is also her study partner, shared that joining the
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  trial has lifted them from the despair that often accompanies an Alzheimer's diagnosis.
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  He remarked that those aware of their participation understand that they are actively
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  seeking a solution, which has replaced pity with encouragement from others.
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  Dr.
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  Sheona Scales, director of research at Alzheimer's Research UK, stressed the urgency
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  for more treatment options, emphasizing that "time is precious" for people living with
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  Alzheimer's.
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  This trial is spearheaded by the UK Dementia Research Institute in partnership with
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  Alzheimer's Research UK, and is supported by several key organizations, including the
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  National Institute for Health and Care Research, the Medical Research Council, and
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  Health Data Research UK.
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  The study is funded by the UK government, reflecting a strong commitment to combating
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  this challenging disease.
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  That's all for today's episode of Morning Medical with Dr.
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  Chow.
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  Thank you for joining me as we explored these significant developments in medical research.
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  I look forward to bringing you more updates and insights in our next episode.
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  Until then, stay informed and take care.