Guamá Science and Technology Park discusses the use of AI for cervical cancer diagnosis
The 1st Brazil++ Workshop brings together authorities, oncology and AI specialists, as well as representatives from foreign institutions, to discuss early diagnosis of the disease
The Guamá Science and Technology Park (PCT) in Belém hosted the opening of the 1st Brazil++ Workshop on Monday (11), an event that marks the beginning of the activities of the "Brazil++: Cooperation Network in Artificial Intelligence and Health for Early Cervical Cancer Diagnosis" Project. The initiative brings together authorities, specialists in Oncology and Artificial Intelligence (AI), as well as representatives from foreign institutions, to discuss technological solutions aimed at health.
According to 2023 data from the Ministry of Health, cervical cancer is the third leading cause of death among women in Brazil and the second most common among female neoplasms in the North region. In this context, Artificial Intelligence becomes an ally to accelerate diagnosis, especially in areas with difficult access to health services.
Coordinated by Professor Renato Francês and co-coordinated by Professor Evelin Helena Cardoso Gomes, the workshop will continue until Thursday (14) with a schedule of workshops focused on the application of AI in research. The activities, aimed at members of the High-Performance Computing and Artificial Intelligence Center (CCAD-IA) at the Federal University of Pará (UFPA), are taught by Brazilian researchers working abroad, with an emphasis on strengthening the Unified Health System (SUS) through science, technology, and innovation.
Technical visits - During the week, foreign participants will also visit the Central Laboratory of the State of Pará (Lacen), Basic Health Units, UFPA, and the João de Barros Barreto University Hospital. During these visits, they will learn about the collection and analysis flows of the preventive cervical cancer exam (Pap smear) and local AI research aimed at the early diagnosis of the disease.
According to Evelin Gomes, the proposal of "Brazil++" is to reduce the interval between the collection of the exam and the delivery of the diagnosis, especially in remote regions. "If the image of the collected slide can be sent to an AI-based system, the pre-diagnosis can be done almost in real-time, with subsequent confirmation by a cytologist, whether they are in Belém or anywhere in the world," she explained.
This approach allows for collection to be done on-site, with slide preparation by a technician and immediate analysis. In case of suspicion, the patient is referred directly to an oncologist, reducing the time between disease detection and the start of treatment.
During the event, Professor Mihoko Yamamoto Tsutsumi received an honorable mention in recognition of her scientific trajectory and commitment to promoting fairer and more accessible health, especially in regions facing logistical and structural challenges, such as the Amazon.
The initiative is part of the structure of the future National Institute of Science and Technology IAmazônia (INCT IAmazônia), approved in the CNPq (National Council for Scientific and Technological Development) Notice 46/2024, as the only proposal from the Legal Amazon focused on Artificial Intelligence. The Institute will bring together researchers from Brazil, the United States, Europe, and Asia to develop solutions aimed not only at health but also at the quality of water in the Amazon rivers and combating misinformation based on Science.
Reference in innovation - The Guamá Science and Technology Park (PCT) is an initiative of the Government of Pará, through the State Secretariat of Science, Technology and Higher, Professional and Technological Education (Sectet), in partnership with UFPA and the Federal Rural University of the Amazon (Ufra), managed by the Guamá Foundation.
It is the first technological park in the North region of Brazil and aims to stimulate applied research and innovative and sustainable entrepreneurship to improve the quality of life of the population.
Located on the banks of the Guamá River, which gives its name to the complex, the PCT is situated between the campuses of the two universities and has an ecosystem rich in biodiversity, extending over 72 hectares, designated for buildings and the Environmental Protection Area (APA) of the Metropolitan Region of Belém.
The complex has more than 30 resident companies (physically installed in the Park), more than 40 associates (linked to the Park but not physically installed), 12 research and development laboratories for processes and products, and a technical school.
The PCT Guamá is part of the National Association of Promoters of Innovative Enterprises (Anprotec) and the International Association of Science Parks and Areas of Innovation (Iasp), and is part of the largest innovation ecosystem in the world.
