Role of Artificial Intelligence in Cancer Diagnosis and Treatment in 2026 - Dr Mukul Roy

Artificial intelligence has become an integral part of cancer care in the recent years and has a promising role in the future of cancer management. AI does not replace doctors or nurses, but it works as a smart assistant by helping the medical teams to detect cancer earlier, choose better treatment and guide patients smoothly through the journey of treatment. For most people, AI now works quietly in the background from the moment a scan is done to the time treatment starts and follow up begins. Detecting answer earlier and accurately is the key to optimum Cancer care.

What are the biggest uses of AI today?

In medical imaging like mammograms for screening, breast cancer, CT scans, MRI scans. AI software can detect or highlight suspicious areas and scans, help doctors notice very small tumours, segregate urgent cases so that they are reviewed first and measure tumour size and detect changes over time for monitoring purpose.

For example, in case of breast cancer screening, AI helps radiologist to read, mammogram more carefully, thereby decreasing the chances of Changes of early cancer. It acts as an added second pair of eyes.

Pathology and Labs

While investigating cancer cases, biopsy is a very important step where the suspected tissue is examined under a microscope. AI can help pathologists by identifying the cancer cells, faster, reducing human error, thereby supporting the greeting and staging of the cancer.

This makes the reports consistent and reliable, especially in busy hospitals.

Combining many test results also becomes easier. The various scans, blood test, biopsies, and genetic tests can be combined using AI and this helps doctors see the full picture. This makes diagnosis more personalised and clearer for the treating oncologist.

Choosing the right treatment.

Doctors follow various international and national treatment guidelines. These can be complex and long. The AI tools can help turn this into simple patient specific suggestions. For example, based on the stage, age, test result, and general health, AI can suggest suitable treatment options, remind doctors about the necessary important tests and warn about unsafe drug interactions in case of pre-existing comorbidities in the patient.

Organisations like American society of clinical oncology, national comprehensive Cancer network, NICE guidelines are working to make integrate AI in the standard medical treatment pathways.

Radiotherapy planning and delivery.

In Radiation treatment, Radiation oncologist have to carefully delineate the targets and organs and risks while planning complex radiotherapy protocols. There are lot of AI software which are integrated into the planning software which help in drawing the organ automatically, suggesting high-quality plans and adjusting treatment if body changes while on radiotherapy.

This saves time and improves consistency while the doctors can still check and verify before the plan implementation.

Predicting side-effects early.

There are AI software which can predict possibility of see side-effects from chemotherapy or radiotherapy. If the risk is high, the doctors can adjust the doses, add supportive medication and therefore monitor the patient closely. This improves the overall quality of life of the patient and reduces the future hospital admissions.

Making the cancer journey smooth

AI can help getting faster appointments with doctors, specially in busy hospitals that serve a very large population. Many cancer delays happen because of the paperwork, missing test or poor coordination. AI, these days help to track whether all tests are done, arrangement of appointments in the right sequence and to flag the patients who need urgent care by making the treatment process smooth for the patient as well as the family.

Digital Assistance and Helpline

Many hospital use supported chat systems to help the patients or caregivers to understand the treatments, prepare for the upcoming procedure, report, symptoms, and knowing when to seek help. The systems work together with nurses and doctors and provide guidance but do not replace the human support. AI also brings better cancer detection to underserved areas. For example, many companies are working on AI tools for early lung cancer detection. These can help doctors in smaller centres, access, expert level support.

Having said this, AI is powerful, but also has its limits. AI does not make the final decisions, it only offer suggestions. The doctors remain responsible for the diagnosis and treatment. This human incharge approach is of utmost importance for patient safety.

Learn from past data.

If the data comes from a certain population, it may not work equally well and be applicable for everyone. Hospitals regularly check AI systems to make sure that they are fair and accurate.

Patient privacy and confidentiality.

Patient data used for AI should be carefully protected. There are strict rules that govern how the information is stored and share. Doctors and nurses must be honest with the patient. Many hospitals now explain that when AI is used in their treatment and care.

What does this mean for patients in 2026?

For most people with cancer today, AI means past diagnosis, more accurate reports, better planned treatment, fewer delays, early detection of problems and better coordination of care. But it also means that doctors and nurses remain central, have compassion and communicate with thepatients. Technology can support but never replace human care.

Looking ahead in 2026, AI is no longer a future promise. It is already part of every day practice. It works quietly behind the scenes-reading, scans, organising appointments, checking safety and supporting clinical decision making. The best systems are those use technology and healthcare professionals work together. When used responsibly, AI helps doctors spend less time on paperwork and more quality time with the patience.

In simple terms, AI is becoming a trusted assistant in fighting against cancer, helping make cancer care, faster, safer, and more personalised while keeping the human touch at the core of medicine.

Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are of the author and not of Health Dialogues. The Editorial/Content team of Health Dialogues has not contributed to the writing/editing/packaging of this article.