The UK’s National Health Service (NHS) is rolling out an advanced AI prostate cancer diagnosis tool, QP-Prostate, across seven hospitals in England as part of a two-year initiative to boost early detection rates. The programme, announced on July 9, 2025, supports the NHS Long Term Plan goal of diagnosing 75% of cancers at an early stage by 2028.
QP-Prostate, developed by medical imaging firm Quibim, uses artificial intelligence to assist radiologists by automatically detecting suspicious regions in MRI scans of the prostate. According to early clinical data, the AI tool could enable the identification of an additional 10.6% of early-stage prostate cancers, offering potentially life-saving insights for men across the UK.
QP-Prostate to Support Over 3,000 Patients Across England
More than 3,000 patients are expected to benefit from the implementation of QP-Prostate in this nationwide pilot. The names of the participating hospitals have not yet been disclosed. The evaluation will focus on improvements in early detection, cost-effectiveness, and long-term resource use within the NHS.
A major component of the trial is its focus on reducing diagnostic disparities. Black men, who statistically face higher rates of prostate cancer and mortality, are a key demographic the rollout aims to support. Public engagement will also play a central role, ensuring that AI technology in healthcare is applied transparently and ethically.
Quibim CEO: “Milestone in AI-Driven Cancer Diagnostics”
Dr Ángel Alberich-Bayarri, CEO of Quibim, said the rollout marks a milestone in using artificial intelligence to transform cancer diagnostics. “By empowering radiologists with AI, we can help ensure more men are diagnosed earlier, when their chances of survival are highest,” he said.
David Bazaga, VP of product at Quibim, added that QP-Prostate is designed to integrate directly into hospital radiology workflows. “This opportunity will allow us to demonstrate how AI can enhance diagnostic confidence, reduce variability, and support more equitable access to high-quality prostate cancer care,” he stated.
NHS-Backed Innovation with SBRI and Lucida Medical
The rollout is funded by the NHS Cancer Programme and supported by the Small Business Research Initiative (SBRI) Healthcare and the Accelerated Access Collaborative. The NHS previously trialled another AI prostate tool, “Prostate Intelligence” by Lucida Medical, at Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust in August 2024.
The new initiative underscores the NHS’s commitment to adopting cutting-edge technologies to improve outcomes and ensure equal access to healthcare for all men.
