AI tool can predict cancer survival by a single patient selfie

Researchers at Mass General Brigham developed an AI system, trained on more than 40 million facial photographs, that estimates biological age and predicts survival outcomes for cancer patients from a single selfie, with details published in Lancet Digital Health. The two tools, FAHR-FaceAge and FAHR-FaceSurvival, rely on different facial regions, and among radiotherapy patients in the US those who looked five or more years older than their actual age had a 21% higher risk of dying during the average four-year follow-up, while those who looked five or more years younger had a 17% lower risk. Doctors cautioned that more research is needed before the tool could be widely used.