New NHS AI Scan and Robotic Biopsy Tech Could Catch Tiny Lung Cancers Earlier

The National Health Services (NHS) has launched a trailblazing pilot combining artificial intelligence (AI) and robotic technology to improve the early detection and diagnosis of lung cancer. The initiative aims to identify hard-to-detect small nodules deep in the lung and to speed up biopsy procedures that traditionally take weeks and can be physically taxing for patients.

According to NHS England, the programme forms part of a wider plan to dramatically improve cancer survival rates by 2030, with early diagnosis seen as a critical factor. Lung cancer remains the UK's leading cause of cancer death, largely because it is often detected at an advanced stage.

How the New Technology Works

The agency's newsletter states that under the new pilot, AI software rapidly analyses lung scans — such as CT images — to flag tiny areas potentially indicative of cancerous growths. These small spots, known as nodules, can be difficult to detect and interpret, especially when they are only a few millimetres in size.

Once the AI highlights suspicious nodules, clinicians use a robotic catheter system to navigate through a patient's airways and take targeted biopsy samples. This technique, which is carried out using highly precise robotic guidance, can reach nodules as small as 6 millimetres, around the size of a grain of rice, located deep in the lungs.

Experts say this approach could replace a series of repeat scans and more invasive procedures with a single, half-hour biopsy, significantly reducing uncertainty and discomfort for patients.

Clinical Impact and Patient Experience

The technology underpins the NHS's commitment to diagnosing 75 per cent of cancers at stage one or two by 2030, a target set out in the NHS Long Term Plan and reinforced in recent national cancer updates.

More than 1.5 million people have taken part in NHS lung health checks since 2021, helping to identify thousands of cancers at an earlier, more treatable stage and increasing demand for safe, precise biopsy techniques like those in this pilot.

For many patients, the difference this technology can make is profound. One early beneficiary, David Lindsay, an IT contractor from Streatham in London, was referred for imaging after a suspected blood clot revealed an incidental lung nodule.

A robotic biopsy confirmed early-stage lung cancer, and subsequent lung-sparing surgery was successful. David said the procedure was 'quick and painless' and praised the care he received.

National Cancer Plan and Tackling Inequalities

The pilot aligns with the NHS National Cancer Plan, which prioritises reducing health inequalities and expanding access to early detection. The programme aims to ensure that every eligible person is invited for lung cancer screening within five years, regardless of where they live, as part of efforts to close the gap in life expectancy between wealthier and poorer areas.

Health and Social Care Secretary Wes Streeting highlighted his personal experience with robotic technology during his own treatment for kidney cancer, saying that such innovation 'saves lives.' He emphasised that the pilot could replace weeks of invasive testing with a single targeted procedure, offering patients clarity and speed when they need it most.

Expert Views and Future Plans

Professor Peter Johnson, NHS England's National Clinical Director for Cancer, described the pilot as 'a glimpse of the future of cancer detection,' reflecting a combination of advanced AI and robotics to support clinicians in delivering faster, more accurate biopsies.

Dr Anne Rigg, Medical Director for Cancer and Surgery at Guy's and St Thomas', emphasised that the pilot is designed with both patients and frontline teams in mind. She said the initiative aims to reduce diagnostic delays and unnecessary steps, making care 'faster, safer and more equitable.'

If successful, the evidence gathered from this pilot could inform a national rollout later this decade, helping the NHS stay on track to meet its 2030 early-diagnosis and survival targets.