Dutch Medical Experts Call AI Use in Cancer Detection an Ethical Imperative
Nijmegen, Monday, 2 February 2026.
Healthcare professionals at Nijmegen’s Radboudumc are championing artificial intelligence as a moral necessity in cancer screening, arguing it would be unethical not to deploy technology that could save lives through earlier detection. Despite public skepticism revealed during a World Cancer Day lecture, AI models trained on thousands of medical scans can outperform radiologists in identifying cancer indicators.
Public Skepticism Emerges Despite Medical Consensus
The annual public lecture organized by De Gelderlander and Radboudumc on January 31, 2026, revealed a striking disconnect between medical expertise and public perception regarding AI in healthcare [1]. An audience of approximately 250 people at Radboudumc displayed divided opinions on whether AI should be used to assess medical scans for cancer detection [1]. This hesitation comes despite compelling evidence from medical professionals who argue the technology represents a significant advancement in diagnostic capabilities.
Technical Superiority of AI-Enhanced Diagnostics
According to Bram van Ginneken, a physicist and expert at Radboudumc, AI models trained with thousands of scans can outperform radiologists in identifying potential cancer indicators [1]. The technology works by filtering out scans without anomalies, allowing radiologists to focus their expertise on suspicious cases [1]. Currently, two radiologists assess each scan in breast cancer screening, and AI could potentially replace one of these assessments while maintaining or improving diagnostic accuracy [1]. Wouter van Geffen, a lung physician and oncologist at Radboudumc, emphasized that while AI is not currently better than doctors individually, together they perform better than each working alone [3].
Implementation Timeline and Institutional Leadership
AI technology will be implemented in breast cancer screening starting in 2028, marking a significant milestone in Dutch healthcare innovation [1]. Radboudumc, located in Nijmegen, has established itself as a leader in cancer treatment and research innovation [3]. The medical center operates a phase 1 unit for testing new drugs on patients for whom standard treatment no longer works and collaborates with regional hospitals including those in Den Bosch, Doetinchem, Ede, and Eindhoven to discuss each lung cancer patient in regional multidisciplinary meetings [3]. This collaborative approach positions Radboudumc at the forefront of integrating AI technology into routine cancer screening protocols.
Addressing Patient Concerns and Educational Needs
Marielle Broeders, an expert on population studies at Radboudumc, acknowledges that people sometimes find AI technology frightening and emphasizes the critical importance of preventing women from staying away from screening programs due to AI-related fears [1]. The public’s ‘koudwatervrees’ (cold water fear) regarding AI technology requires serious attention and comprehensive educational initiatives before implementation [1]. Professor Mireille Broeders, who specializes in personalized cancer screening, stresses the importance of good public education before implementing AI in cancer screening programs [1]. Public questions during the lecture, including basic inquiries about how AI works and whether it is simply a computer, highlight the educational gap that must be addressed [1]. However, some attendees expressed enthusiasm, with one noting that using AI for work had opened up a new world of possibilities, while acknowledging that others remain completely unfamiliar with the technology [1].