AI technology helps doctors detect colon cancer at local surgical center – KPLC 7 News

LAKE CHARLES, La. (KPLC) – A local surgical center is expanding its services using artificial intelligence to help cut down wait times and increase detection rates for a potentially life-saving procedure.
CHRISTUS Imperial Calcasieu Surgical Center is now using AI technology to assist doctors when performing colonoscopies on patients.
“We’re the only facility in the area using AI-assisted colonoscopy to help increase detection of colon polyps and reduce colon cancer in the community,” said Dr. Matthew Ayo, General Surgeon at Sulphur Surgical Clinic.
Ayo says they looked at other hospitals across the country already using the technology and seeing great results in patient care.
Using the Fuji Endoscopes and CAT-Eye AI Technology, the center says polyp detection rates increase by up to 15%, acting as an extra set of eyes for doctors during the procedure.
“Colon cancer, especially in our community, we’re finding it in younger and younger patients. The screening age now is down from 50 to 45 for low-risk individuals and even sooner for high-risk patients, particularly those having symptoms,” Ayo said.
The diagnostic procedure also looks for and treats symptoms including abdominal pain, trouble swallowing, acid reflux, and rectal bleeding.
Two new endoscopy suites were added to the surgical center to support the expanded services.
“We saw a need for GI procedures, endoscopy procedures. In the community, there is currently a long wait to have these screening services,” said Julie Woodcock, Administrator at CHRISTUS Imperial Calcasieu Surgical Center.
Appointments are available now.
For more information, contact CHRISTUS Imperial Calcasieu Surgical Center
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