Despite the recently updated U.S. Preventive Services Task Force guidance for women over the age of 40 to have routine mammograms, breast cancer statistics are still staggering. According to the National Breast Cancer Foundation, Inc.:
- One in eight women will develop breast cancer in their lifetime.
- In 2024, it’s estimated that 310,000 new cases of invasive breast cancer and 56,500 new cases of non-invasive breast cancer will be diagnosed in women across the United States.
- An estimated 42,250 will succumb to the disease.
- There are currently over 4 million breast cancer survivors in the United States.
On top of that, traditional screening mammograms miss about 20% of breast cancers that are present at the time of screening, often due to dense breasts, according to the National Cancer Institute.
Thankfully, three-dimensional (3-D) mammograms powered by Artificial Intelligence (AI) are changing all of this with amazing results. 3-D mammography is the most advanced detection technology that enables radiologists to better detect abnormalities in breast tissue. AI technology takes it to the next level by analyzing screening images beyond what the human eye can see, improving diagnostic accuracy.
Together these two technologies offer the most advanced breast cancer screening available today. When combined with the expertise of a radiologist, they’re finding and predicting breast cancers two to three years earlier than traditional mammograms. That means treatment can be started when cancer is detected at the earliest possible localized stage for the best possible outcomes.
In honor of October being Breast Cancer Awareness Month, here is helpful information that explains 3-D, AI-enabled mammograms and what they can tell you about your health.
How does 3-D mammography work?
Unlike two-dimensional mammograms that provide only views of the top and side of the breast, 3-D mammography takes multiple low-dose X-ray images from different angles and creates a picture that allows radiologists to view the tissue in “slices” as thin as one millimeter.
When is 3-D mammography used?
3-D mammograms are the established standard of early detection – whether a patient has no signs or symptoms – or has a suspicious lump or thickening. 3-D mammograms are particularly valuable in analyzing dense breasts. They allow doctors to see through overlapping layers of breast tissue slice by slice – which is critically important because women with dense breasts have an increased risk of breast cancer being missed until the cancer has grown.
What happens when 3-D mammograms are augmented with AI?
When 3-D mammograms are empowered with AI, there’s a step change in the diagnosis of cancers and patient care. AI enables a computer to imitate human behavior. Based on information inputted from millions of mammograms, the software creates an algorithm of what a normal mammogram and one with cancer look like.
AI rapidly scans images to assess and identify areas of potential concern – including subtle findings – that the radiologist can then analyze.
What are the benefits of AI-enabled, 3-D mammograms?
When a radiologist leverages this technology, the outcomes are significant:
- Breast cancer is detected up to two years earlier. According to the National Cancer Institute, traditional screening mammograms miss approximately 20% of breast cancers. AI systems detect very subtle signs of early cancer. This is critically important for women with a family history of breast cancer … those who carry genetic mutations like BRCA1/BRCA2 … and those who have other risk factors.
- Readings are more accurate and precise. This is especially true in patients with dense breasts where it’s difficult to spot subtle cancers.
- The number of false-positive readings is reduced. A false positive is when a screening shows an abnormal area that looks like a cancer but is normal. Fewer false positives eliminate the need for follow-up tests which can be emotionally and financially draining.
- AI helps radiologists find more cancers. According to The Lancet Oncology, a 2023 Swedish study revealed AI software identified 20% more cancers than the routine double reading by two different radiologists.
- Cancer risk can be predicted. AI algorithms can predict breast cancer risk up to five years in advance, even when no cancer is detected in a mammogram.
Does AI replace radiologists?
AI does not replace radiologists. AI is designed to identify areas of concern including those that are not actually cancer. Radiologists evaluate the AI output and are responsible for recommending follow-up and treatment as needed.
How is ImageCare Radiology partnering with AI developers to leverage this game-changing technology?
ImageCare Radiology reports the proven cancers they find – but AI misses – to AI developers. They continuously use this feedback to improve AI analyses. ImageCare radiologists are passionate about advancing breast health and are teaming with these developers to pioneer advances in how AI can help.
3D AI mammography is not only revolutionizing breast cancer detection and screening, it’s having a huge impact on the overall health of patients of all ages. While this technology is not available everywhere and is an extra cost at some breast centers, PINK Breast Center/ImageCare Radiology includes AI at no extra cost to patients or their insurance companies.
For more information or to schedule a mammogram, visit PINK Breast Center/ImageCare Radiology at imagecarecenters.com.
Lisa Sheppard, MD
Radiologist and Director
PINK Breast Center/ImageCare Radiology
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