New AI tool can use selfies to predict how long a cancer patient will live
It's no secret that some people appear to age faster than others, especially after enduring stressful periods. But some scientists think a person's physical appearance could reveal more about them than meets the eye — down to the health of their tissues and cells, a concept known as 'biological age'.
In a new study, published in The Lancet Digital Health, researchers trained artificial intelligence to estimate the biological ages of adults with cancer by analysing photos of their faces. Study participants with younger estimates tended to fare better after treatment than those deemed older by AI, researchers at Mass General Brigham found.
The findings suggest that people's biological age estimates are closely linked to their physical health, which could reflect their ability to survive certain treatments, the authors of the study said.
Face-based aging tools have 'extraordinary potential' to help doctors quickly and inexpensively estimate how healthy their patients are, compared with existing tests, which use blood or saliva to measure chemical and molecular changes associated with aging, said William Mair, a professor of molecular metabolism at the Harvard TH Chan School of Public Health who was not involved in the study.
FaceAge, the machine learning tool created by researchers at Mass General Brigham, found that study subjects with cancer appeared five years older than their chronological age.
by Taboola
by Taboola
Sponsored Links
Sponsored Links
Promoted Links
Promoted Links
You May Like
Your Finger Shape Says a Lot About Your Personality, Read Now
Tips and Tricks
Undo
The biological age of people without cancer was typically close to their actual age. And those who were categorised as older were more likely to die, either from cancer or other causes.
The researchers are not the first to find a link between facial and biological aging: A study in Denmark found that subjects who looked older than their chronological age tended to die earlier than their twins.
Doctors could one day use FaceAge to decide whether to provide different treatment depending on a patient's estimated biological age, said Dr Raymond H.
Mak, a radiation oncologist at Mass General Brigham who worked on the study.
Preliminary data suggests that FaceAge goes beyond the visual markers of age we might look to, like wrinkles, grey hair or baldness, and instead flags less obvious factors like hollowing of the temples (which reflects a loss of muscle mass) and the prominence of the skin folds on either side of the mouth, Dr Mak said.
The authors of the study hope to eventually commercialise the technology and create a product that could be used in doctor's offices.
They plan to file for a patent once the technology is more developed.
The current version of the tool has limitations. It was primarily trained on white faces, Dr Mak said, so it could work differently for people with different skin tones. And it isn't clear to what extent modifications like plastic surgery, makeup, lighting or the angle of the face could affect the results. And while biological aging can be accelerated by a number of factors, like stress, pregnancy, smoking, drinking alcohol and even extreme heat, some of these changes can be reversible — and it's not clear if the tool would pick up those changes over time.
Experts in medical ethics also have concerns. 'I'd be very worried about whether this tool works equally well for all populations, for example women, older adults, racial and ethnic minorities, those with various disabilities, pregnant women and the like,' said Jennifer E. Miller, the co-director of the program for biomedical ethics at Yale University. She and others in the field also wondered whether the tool might be used to justify denying insurance coverage or medical treatment.
Dr Mak and other researchers who worked on the study have had reservations, too. 'We're really concerned about potential misuse of technology in general,' he said. However, he added, the researchers felt the tool would be more helpful than harmful — and it could be used to support, but not replace, clinicians' judgment.
NYT News Service
One step to a healthier you—join Times Health+ Yoga and feel the change
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
40 minutes ago
- Time of India
In 2025, Gujarat records 3 cadaver organ donations weekly
Ahmedabad: By the end of July, Gujarat recorded 83 cadaver organ donors, with experts retrieving 259 organs, including 154 kidneys and 67 livers, among others. The State Organ and Tissue Transplant Organization (SOTTO) officials said that since 2022, the state recorded an average of 12 cadaver donations for organ retrieval per month. The figure saw a slight slump to 10 donations in 2024, which picked up pace in the first seven months of 2025. As India prepares to observe National Organ Donation Day on Aug 3, Dr Pranjal Modi, director of IKDRC and coordinator for Gujarat SOTTO, said that in the past few years, there was a rise in the number of hospitals functioning as organ retrieval and transplant centres. "We now have transplant experts and infrastructure in place for the same. It has helped improve numbers," he said. On Saturday, the state received three awards from National Organ and Tissue Transplant Organization (NOTTO) for its work in the field of organ donation. You Can Also Check: Ahmedabad AQI | Weather in Ahmedabad | Bank Holidays in Ahmedabad | Public Holidays in Ahmedabad The state health department figures indicated that the state recorded 657 cadaver donations for organ retrieval in seven years, where a total of 2,039 organs were retrieved. The figure includes 1,130 kidneys, 566 livers, 147 hearts, 136 lungs, 31 hands, 19 pancreas, and 10 small intestines. Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Brain tumor has left my son feeling miserable; please help! Donate For Health Donate Now Undo by Taboola by Taboola Experts pointed out that while awareness is there, steps must be taken to ensure that there is awareness about the declaration of brain death at district levels and facilities to treat those with severe head injuries in instances such as road crashes. Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Friendship Day wishes , messages and quotes !
Time of India
40 minutes ago
- Time of India
Study shows kidney donors live healthier lives: Doctor
Panaji: Among the rare cases of a husband donating a kidney to his wife is that of a woman who was diagnosed with kidney disease at the age of 28 and had to undergo regular dialysis treatment. Two years later, her husband, working in the UK, came down to donate one of his kidneys to her. 'Six months after the transplant, she joined her husband in the UK and two years later, she became pregnant and had a safe delivery,' said consultant nephrologist and kidney transplant physician Dr Shital Lengade. For many women on dialysis, a kidney transplant is the only way to regain their fertility and fulfil their dreams of having children. He added that the chances of conception for a woman on dialysis are very low, and in rare cases where a woman does become pregnant, it is treated as a very high-risk pregnancy, with many finding it difficult to complete their pregnancy. That's the reason doctors counsel and motivate young women to undergo kidney transplants, Dr Lengade said. 'One year after a transplant, when the body has adapted to the organ, the woman can safely become pregnant with no additional risks,' he added. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like American Investor Warren Buffett Recommends: 5 Books For Turning Your Life Around Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo Unfortunately, due to todays nuclear family structure, most transplants are spousal. In the past, first-degree relatives would opt to be kidney donors, but this is not commonly seen today. Kidney donation is very safe and one of the safest organ donations, Dr Lengade said, adding that studies have shown that people who donate their kidneys live longer and healthier lives compared to those who opt not to be donors. 'This is because of two reasons: the donor is already a healthy person, and secondly, the person donating an organ tends to take more care of themselves and naturally leans towards a healthier lifestyle,' he said, adding that donors don't have to take any extra medication but are called in once a year for routine medical checkups. Those with no matching or willing donors sign up on the state's waiting list maintained by the State Organ and Tissue Transplant Organisation (SOTTO). There are currently 78 persons waiting for kidneys from deceased donors. The youngest is 18 years old, and the oldest is 66, with the average age being 30-35 years. Out of eight cadaver deceased organ donations since SOTTO was set up in 2019, seven have taken place in the public sector at GMC, and of these, 14 out of 16 kidneys have been transplanted at GMC. 'This is something to be proud of and is exactly the reverse of what is seen in other states, where the private sector accounts for the majority of the cases,' said joint director of SOTTO, Dr Preeti Varghese said. 'GMC is also among the few govt institutions that have a Human Leukocyte Antigens (HLA) lab on their own premises, which is the cornerstone of the transplant programme for both deceased and living donors,' she said, adding that reports don't have to be sent to Mumbai. Out of the eight deceased organ donation cases, only one was of Goan origin and from the elite section of the society, while the rest of the seven could be broadly categorised as daily wage workers, she said. Out of the 16 kidneys of the eight deceased donors, 14 were transplanted in Goa. The eight deceased's other organs—seven livers, four hearts, and two pairs of lungs—were sent to other states. Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Friendship Day wishes , messages and quotes !
Time of India
40 minutes ago
- Time of India
Superb Hygienic Disposals Fined Rs 10,000 Per Day
Nagpur: Cracking down on poor biomedical waste management, the Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) has imposed a daily fine of ₹10,000 on Superb Hygienic Disposals—the agency responsible for collecting medical bio-waste in the city. The penalty, made effective retrospectively from July 15, followed a surprise inspection that uncovered serious lapses in the handling of hazardous waste. On July 15, additional municipal commissioner Vasumana Pant and deputy commissioner Rajesh Bhagat conducted an unannounced visit to the Bhandewadi bio-waste treatment facility. During the inspection, officials found used saline bottles, soiled plastic, syringes, and other contaminated materials dumped openly near the incinerator, a blatant violation of environmental safety norms and the agency's contractual obligations. "We have issued a notice, and I've initiated the fine as per the contract. The penalty is ₹10,000 per day, effective from July 15, and it will continue until complete compliance is achieved," Pant said. As per the agreement signed on August 12, 2004, Superb Hygienic Disposals is mandated to collect biomedical waste from hospitals, clinics, and pathological labs across the city and ensure its scientific disposal at the Bhandewadi incinerator within 48 hours. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Is it better to shower in the morning or at night? Here's what a microbiologist says CNA Read More Undo Clause 14 of the contract specifies that failure to meet this timeline attracts financial penalties. On July 30, deputy commissioner Bhagat issued a formal notice to the agency, demanding an explanation within 24 hours. Although the agency responded, its justification failed to satisfy NMC authorities. "They cited a machine breakdown, but the volume of accumulated biomedical waste far exceeded what could be expected from a one- or two-day disruption. That level of neglect is inexcusable," said Pant, adding that the civic body will no longer tolerate such lapses. "There was an unnecessary amount of biomedical waste lying in the open, which is dangerous and unacceptable. We're allowing a window for them to clear the backlog, but the penalty will continue until the waste is disposed of as per norms," she added. According to Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) guidelines, all biomedical waste must be incinerated within 48 hours of generation. Despite being entrusted with this task, Superb Hygienic Disposals has reportedly shown a pattern of negligence, prompting the NMC to take strict action for the first time. Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Friendship Day wishes , messages and quotes !
