Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, part of the M42 group, is now the largest centre for AI-assisted colonoscopy in the UAE. The Colorectal Cancer Screening Program at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi offers an advanced community screening programme with six AI-assisted colonoscopy units which have served more than 2,000 patients since January 2024.
The latest AI technology improves colorectal cancer screening by quickly and accurately analysing large amounts of data, leading to faster results and reduced false positives. The technology aims to alleviate patient anxiety and reduce the risk of cancer progression, ultimately improving patient outcomes.
The AI technology employed at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi aims to allow physicians detect and diagnose colorectal conditions with enhanced accuracy. The AI system’s real-time analysis during colonoscopies helps to identify polyps and other abnormalities that might be missed by the human eye. This facilitates timely intervention and personalised treatment plans tailored to individual patient needs.
Dr Ammar Kheir, Staff Physician in Gastroenterology at the Digestive Disease Institute at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, said: "A significant proportion of cancer cases can be attributed to missed opportunities, commonly referred to as interval cancer. This occurs when a patient undergoes a colonoscopy, yet the colon is not thoroughly examined or polyps, the precursors to cancer, are overlooked. Typically, a polyp can remain undetected for eight to ten years before progressing into cancer."
"The integration of artificial intelligence into our colonoscopy practices marks a transformative step in our ongoing efforts to provide the highest standard of care. While various interventions have been attempted in colonoscopy procedures, the integration of AI stands out as the most promising advancement in recent times. Our ability to detect and address colon issues early on is crucial, and AI is proving to be an invaluable tool in this regard. Systematic reviews, representing the highest quality of research, have consistently demonstrated the efficacy of AI in improving detection rates and patient outcomes."
Statistics reveal that colorectal cancer as the most common cancer among men and the third most common among women. It is also the leading cause of cancer-related deaths mainly due to delayed detection and failure of prevention. The statistics was confirmed through data available from the UAE Ministry of Health and Prevention. The hospital places emphasis on early screening to combat the disease as symptoms of colorectal cancer do not appear until later stages of the disease. The Department of Health – Abu Dhabi has recommended all men and women over the age of 40 have routine colorectal cancer screening.
