A Machine Learning and Bayesian Belief Network Approach to Predicting Cervical Cancer Risk: Implications for Risk Management.

Abstract

Introduction: Cervical cancer remains a major global health challenge, necessitating enhanced risk stratification and early detection methodologies. This study proposes a comprehensive predictive framework for cervical cancer leveraging advanced machine learning (ML) algorithms and Bayesian Belief Networks (BBNs), illustrating the transformative role of digital technologies in healthcare and education within an increasingly digitized society.

Methods: A cohort of 858 patients was analyzed, addressing data challenges, including missing values, class imbalance, and nonlinear feature interactions, that frequently compromise the reliability of predictive modeling. Methodologically, this study integrated advanced data science approaches, including multiple imputation, feature selection, and imbalance mitigation, advancing medical analytics to ensure robust model generalizability.

Results: High predictive performance was observed across different cervical cancer screening tests. The combined target ML model achieved an accuracy of 95.6%, an area under the receiver-operating characteristic curve (AUROC) of 0.958, and an F1-score of 0.945. The BBN, built upon the Bayesian Additive Regression Trees (BART) model, demonstrated a positive prediction rate (sensitivity) of 91.3% and a negative prediction rate (specificity) of 86.8%.

Discussion: These results validate the technical efficacy of the proposed framework and underscore its potential for integration into clinical decision-support systems. Beyond clinical applications, this research contributes to computational oncology by demonstrating the synergistic potential of combining probabilistic graphical models with ML techniques. The study highlights the critical role of interdisciplinary collaboration between clinical experts and data scientists in creating effective AI healthcare solutions. It also emphasizes the need for upskilling healthcare workers and optimizing healthcare delivery processes to fully realize the benefits of precision medicine.