---
title: AI tool can predict cancer patients' chances with a selfie
url: https://www.elseif.net/ai-tool-can-predict-cancer-patients-chances-with-a-selfie
published: 2026-10-23T13:03:43+00:00
language: en
section: Models
source: https://computersweden.se/article/4237752/ai-verktyg-kan-forutsaga-cancerpatienters-chanser-med-en-selfie.html
organizations: Mass General Brigham, The Lancet Digital Health, The Guardian
publisher: elseif
---

# AI tool can predict cancer patients' chances with a selfie

Researchers at Mass General Brigham have developed a new AI tool that can estimate cancer patients' survival chances based on a single photograph of the face. The results have been published in the scientific journal The Lancet Digital Health. The AI model has been trained on over 40,000,000 facial images from people of various ages and different ethnic backgrounds.

The researchers have developed two complementary tools. One, FAHR-FaceAge, estimates a person's biological age based on facial appearance. The other, FAHR-FaceSurvival, estimates the risk of death directly from facial features. Patients who appeared at least five years older than their actual age had a 21 percent higher risk of dying during the average follow-up period of four years.

In contrast, those who appeared at least five years younger had a 17 percent lower risk. The technology could help doctors assess patients' physical resilience and make decisions regarding surgeries and treatments in the future.