- Researchers are reporting that artificial intelligence programs were more accurate in predicting breast cancer risk than traditional methods.
- They said the programs could help with earlier diagnosis and better preventive measures.
- Experts say artificial intelligence will become a bigger part of healthcare in the future.
Artificial intelligence (AI) programs performed better at predicting five-year breast cancer risk than traditional models, according to a study published today in Radiology, a journal of the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA).
The researchers used data from negative 2d mammograms performed at Kaiser Permanente Northern California in 2016.
The scientists screened 324,009 women and chose 13,628 for analysis. In addition, 4,584 from the eligibility pool diagnosed with breast cancer within five years of the original 2016 mammogram remained in the study.
The scientists followed the participants until 2021.
An AI program evaluated the mammograms and divided the results into three categories:
- Interval cancer risk – incident cancers diagnosed between zero and one years
- Future cancer risk – incident cancers diagnosed between one and five years
- All cancer risk–incident cancers diagnosed between zero and five years
The researchers used five AI algorithms, including two used by researchers and three that are commercially available.
The scientists compared risk scores to each other and the Breast Cancer Surveillance Consortium (BCSC).
Dr. Richard Reitherman, a radiologist and medical director of breast imaging at MemorialCare Breast Center at Orange Coast Medical Center in California, explained the factors used to calculate the risk of breast cancer.
He noted the risk is frequently calculated using the BCSC, which operates primarily five elements:
- A woman’s age
- Family history of breast cancer in a first-degree relative (mother, sister, daughter)
- Race/ethnicity
- Mammographic breast density
- History of benign breast biopsies.
“Many computer risk calculators are…
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