FIRST NAMED INVESTIGATOR: Dr. Thiranja Prasad Babarenda Gamage
HOST INVESTIGATOR: University of Auckland

Problem
Breast cancer is the most common cancer for women in New Zealand, and reading MRI scans takes a lot of time and puts huge pressure on radiologists. This can lead to delays, mistakes, and unfair outcomes - especially for Wāhine Māori, who are more likely to die from breast cancer.

Project
Researchers are creating an AI tool that can read breast MRI scans in under 30 seconds. It finds the tumour, measures it, works out exactly where it is, and creates a report that doctors can use straight away.

Outcome
The AI will help doctors diagnose breast cancer faster and more accurately, reduce their workload, and cut down on delays. Because the tool is being tested on people from many backgrounds, it’s designed to work fairly for everyone.

Future
If the AI passes all the tests, it can be rolled out across hospitals in New Zealand. This could lead to earlier detection, better treatment, and improved outcomes for women - especially those who currently face the biggest inequities.