AI Tool FaceAge Predicts Biological Age and Cancer Survival from a Photo
A groundbreaking artificial intelligence tool named FaceAge, developed by researchers at Harvard Medical School and partners, is reshaping how we understand ageing and cancer prognosis. Published in The Lancet Digital Health, the study reveals that FaceAge estimates biological age—how the body is actually ageing—using just a facial photograph, often predicting health outcomes more accurately than chronological age. Trained on over 58,000 images and tested on 6,196 cancer patients, the system uses deep learning to detect subtle signs of ageing invisible to the naked eye.
FaceAge proved to be a better predictor of survival than doctors in three cancer patient groups: those undergoing curative treatment, patients with thoracic cancers, and those in palliative care. Higher FaceAge scores correlated with significantly poorer outcomes. When doctors were given FaceAge data along with clinical information, their predictions of six-month survival improved substantially, suggesting the tool could enhance treatment planning and decision-making in oncology.
Despite its promise, FaceAge raises ethical concerns. Experts caution against potential misuse by insurers or employers and stress the need for robust safeguards. Questions remain about its accuracy across different demographics and the influence of cosmetic procedures or image quality. While the tool could revolutionise personalised medicine, researchers urge further validation and regulation before clinical adoption.
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