AI emerging as key tool to make cancer care faster, cheaper and more precise: Experts

The Fortis Cancer Summit 2026 in New Delhi convened oncologists and global experts to discuss how artificial intelligence (AI) could revolutionize cancer treatment over the next decade. Rising patient numbers and treatment costs have strained traditional healthcare systems, but AI-driven tools promise faster, cheaper, and more accurate diagnostics and therapies. Dr Shrinidhi Nathany, Consultant in Molecular Hematology and Oncology at Fortis Memorial Research Institute in Gurugram, called cancer care an ‘inflection point,’ where AI could address both affordability and precision gaps. AI’s primary advantage lies in reducing delays caused by repeated investigations and ineffective treatments, which drive up costs and patient suffering. By analyzing imaging, genomic data, and clinical history simultaneously, AI enables earlier identification of optimal therapies, minimizing unnecessary procedures and hospital stays. Precision oncology, where AI matches patients to targeted treatments based on tumor-specific mutations, was a key focus at the summit. Liquid biopsy technologies, which detect circulating tumor DNA in blood samples, were highlighted as a breakthrough for real-time cancer monitoring. These tools eliminate the need for invasive biopsies and help detect treatment resistance earlier, particularly in breast and lung cancers. AI-assisted interpretation of liquid biopsy data has already reduced unnecessary treatment escalations and improved therapy adjustments. Experts also stressed AI’s potential to bridge healthcare gaps in low-resource regions like Southeast Asia and Africa, where radiologist shortages delay cancer detection. AI-based screening platforms for cervical and breast cancers have matched specialist accuracy at lower costs. However, faster regulatory reforms and data-sharing frameworks are needed to integrate these tools into mainstream care, according to Dr Nathany. The summit underscored AI’s role in transforming oncology by improving affordability, accuracy, and accessibility. While traditional systems struggle with rising demand, AI-driven innovations offer scalable solutions to reduce delays and enhance patient outcomes globally.