A simple selfie can now be analysed and can give you information about the individual's chances of surviving cancer. Here's how that is made possible.
A team of researchers from Mass General Brigham, a non-profit research group in the United States, used artificial intelligence (AI) to come to this conclusion.
In a study published in Lancet Digital Health, the researchers mentioned how with the use of AI, a person's photo can be analysed and predictions can be made about their chances of surviving cancer.
FaceAge, a deep learning system is the AI tool that is being put to use to estimate the biological age. This can be done through a simple selfie.
As per the study, the biological age of a person is being used as a factor to determine the individual's chances of surviving cancer. Looking older was correlated with worse overall survival. As per the findings, it was found that on average, patients with cancer looked older than their chronological age. The study also mentioned that the FaceAge tool can improve physicians’ survival predictions in patients with incurable cancer receiving palliative treatments highlighting the clinical use of the algorithm to support end-of-life decision making.
According to a report by The Telegraph, academics showed how the tool assessed the biological age of Hollywood actors Paul Rudd and Wilford Brimley based on pictures of them when they were 50 years old. Mr Rudd's age was calculated to be 42.6 while Mr Brimley, who died in 2020, was assessed to have a biological age of 69.
Suggesting the use of deep learning models like the use of FaceAge tool to effectively enhance the survival prediction in patients with cancer, researchers also mention that further research and testing, especially in large cohorts are needed to verify the findings.
