An Explainable Attention Model for Cervical Precancer Risk Classification using Colposcopic Images

Cervical cancer remains a major worldwide health issue, with early identification and risk assessment playing critical roles in effective preventive interventions. This paper presents the Cervix-AID-Net model for cervical precancer risk classification. The study designs and evaluates the proposed Cervix-AID-Net model based on patients colposcopy images. The model comprises a Convolutional Block Attention Module (CBAM) and convolutional layers that extract interpretable and representative features of colposcopic images to distinguish high-risk and low-risk cervical precancer. In addition, the proposed Cervix-AID-Net model integrates four explainable techniques, namely gradient class activation maps, Local Interpretable Model-agnostic Explanations, CartoonX, and pixel rate distortion explanation based on output feature maps and input features. The evaluation using holdout and ten-fold cross-validation techniques yielded a classification accuracy of 99.33\% and 99.81\%. The analysis revealed that CartoonX provides meticulous explanations for the decision of the Cervix-AID-Net model due to its ability to provide the relevant piece-wise smooth part of the image. The effect of Gaussian noise and blur on the input shows that the performance remains unchanged up to Gaussian noise of 3\% and blur of 10\%, while the performance reduces thereafter. A comparison study of the proposed model's performance compared to other deep learning approaches highlights the Cervix-AID-Net model's potential as a supplemental tool for increasing the effectiveness of cervical precancer risk assessment. The proposed method, which incorporates the CBAM and explainable artificial integration, has the potential to influence cervical cancer prevention and early detection, improving patient outcomes and lowering the worldwide burden of this preventable disease.