VIDEO: AI has ‘truly transformational potential’ to detect cancer at most treatable stage
Key takeaways:
- C the Signs uses an AI-based cancer prediction system to detect cancers earlier.
- The company participated in the inaugural CancerX Accelerator cohort.
An AI-based cancer prediction system is designed to ensure a higher percentage of cancers are diagnosed at earlier, more treatable stages.
C the Signs uses electronic medical records and patient-reported data to help primary care physicians analyze whether a person is at risk for particular types of cancer.
The process — which takes less than 30 seconds — utilizes an algorithm that relies on factors such as genetics, lifestyle, clinical markers and environmental exposures.
More than 400,000 people have undergone risk assessments, with more than 43,000 people diagnosed with cancer. The model has been shown to have 99% sensitivity, 99% negative predictive value and a 94% accuracy for predicting tumor origin, according to Bea Bakshi, MD, co-founder and CEO of C the Signs.
“[We] navigate these patients into care pathways earlier, faster and more accurately so patients can have the best chance for survival,” Bakshi told Healio. “AI has truly transformative potential for being able to identify and detect disease earlier.”
C the Signs participated in the inaugural cohort of the CancerX Accelerator, hosted by Moffitt Cancer Center and launched in collaboration with the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology and the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health.
The 16 startups in the cohort collaborated with accelerator champions, mentors, federal partners and CancerX members throughout the health care system to test and validate innovative solutions intended to improve the lives of people with cancer.
In this video, Bakshi shares more insights into the mission of C the Signs, how participation in the CancerX Accelerator last year benefitted the company, her advice to members of the 2025 CancerX Accelerator cohort and more.
Healio has been selected as the official media partner of the 2025 CancerX Accelerator cohort.
Join the CancerX community here.
References:
- C the Signs. https://www.cthesigns.com. Accessed March 17, 2025.
- CancerX. https://cancerx.health. Accessed March 17, 2025.
For more information:
Bea Bakshi, MD, can be reached on LinkedIn here.