New tool can find deadliest cancer years before tumors can be seen on a scan
An AI model developed at the Mayo Clinic can detect early signs of pancreatic cancer up to three years before tumors appear on traditional CT scans. The tool outperformed radiologists by identifying subtle abnormalities invisible to the human eye, potentially improving early diagnosis and survival rates. Pancreatic cancer, which has a five-year survival rate of just 13%, is often detected too late for effective treatment.
- ▪The AI model was three times better than radiologists at detecting early signs of pancreatic cancer in CT scans.
- ▪The study was published in the journal Gut and analyzed scans from patients later diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.
- ▪Pancreatic cancer is projected to cause over 52,700 deaths in 2026, according to the American Cancer Society.
- ▪The AI detected abnormal pancreatic cells that shield the cancer from immune defenses, a challenge for previous diagnostic methods.
- ▪The tool is currently in clinical trials and may soon be used for high-risk individuals with a family history of the disease.
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Health New tool can find deadliest cancer years before tumors can be seen on a scan By Rachel Sacks Published May 4, 2026, 3:51 p.m. ET Many are split on whether AI is good for humanity, but a new AI-powered tool could prove revolutionary when it comes to cancer screenings. Pancreatic cancer is considered one of the most aggressive and difficult-to-detect cancers. It has a 13% five-year survival rate and is projected to cause more than 52,700 deaths this year, according to the American Cancer Society. An AI model developed at the Mayo Clinic could be the answer to improving those numbers since it detected abnormalities on CT scans up to three years before a pancreatic cancer diagnosis.
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