Secure and Transparent Lung and Colon Cancer Classification Using Blockchain and Microsoft Azure

Abstract

Background: The global healthcare system faces challenges in diagnosing and managing lung and colon cancers, which are significant health burdens. Traditional diagnostic methods are inefficient and prone to errors, while data privacy and security concerns persist. Objective: This study aims to develop a secure and transparent framework for remote consultation and classification of lung and colon cancer, leveraging blockchain technology and Microsoft Azure cloud services. Dataset and Features: The framework utilizes the LC25000 dataset, containing 25,000 histopathological images, for training and evaluating advanced machine learning models. Key features include secure data upload, anonymization, encryption, and controlled access via blockchain and Azure services. Methods: The proposed framework integrates Microsoft Azure’s cloud services with a permissioned blockchain network. Patients upload CT scans through a mobile app, which are then preprocessed, anonymized, and stored securely in Azure Blob Storage. Blockchain smart contracts manage data access, ensuring only authorized specialists can retrieve and analyze the scans. Azure Machine Learning is used to train and deploy state-of-the-art machine learning models for cancer classification. Evaluation Metrics: The framework’s performance is evaluated using metrics such as accuracy, precision, recall, and F1-score, demonstrating the effectiveness of the integrated approach in enhancing diagnostic accuracy and data security. Results: The proposed framework achieves an impressive accuracy of 100% for lung and colon cancer classification using DenseNet, ResNet50, and MobileNet models with different split ratios (70–30, 80–20, 90–10). The F1-score and k-fold cross-validation accuracy (5-fold and 10-fold) also demonstrate exceptional performance, with values exceeding 99.9%. Real-time notifications and secure remote consultations enhance the efficiency and transparency of the diagnostic process, contributing to better patient outcomes and streamlined cancer care management.