lipflip – Artificial intelligence is proving to be a game-changer in breast cancer detection. A groundbreaking study published on January 7 in Nature Medicine reveals that AI-assisted mammogram screening enables doctors to identify an additional cancer case for every 1,000 individuals screened compared to traditional methods.
The study, which is the largest real-world evaluation of AI in breast cancer detection. Analyzed data from nearly 500,000 women in Germany. Researchers found that incorporating AI into the screening process not only improved detection rates but also maintained the same low rate of false positives as conventional methods.
“AI in mammography screening is at least as good as a human reader, and our study shows it’s even better,” stated Alexander Katalinic, a cancer epidemiologist at the University of Lübeck in Germany.
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Germany’s Breast Cancer Screening Program Adopts AI to Ease Radiologists’ Workload
Germany’s breast cancer screening program is addressing its heavy radiology workload by integrating artificial intelligence. Unlike U.S. clinics, which typically rely on one physician, Germany requires two radiologists to independently examine each patient’s mammograms. They analyze four X-ray images per patient, comparing them with previous screenings to identify suspicious spots, masses, or abnormalities. If either radiologist suspects cancer, a third expert steps in to decide whether additional tests are necessary.
This rigorous system processes mammograms for 3 million women annually, requiring radiologists to assess 24 million images every year. “That’s a big workload for the radiologists,” explains Alexander Katalinic, cancer epidemiologist at the University of Lübeck.
AI Boosts Cancer Detection by 17% in Landmark Study Across Germany
To explore how artificial intelligence could ease the workload of radiologists, researchers implemented decision-referral software at 12 breast cancer screening sites across Germany. The study, conducted between July 2021 and February 2023, involved over 460,000 women aged 50 to 69. AI analyzed mammograms and categorized them as normal, suspicious, or unclassified. Radiologists used an AI-supported image viewer for approximately half of the screenings. Which displayed the software’s assessment alongside their own evaluations.
Without AI assistance, radiologists typically identified six confirmed breast cancer cases per 1,000 patients through biopsy. With AI’s support, detection increased to seven cases per 1,000 patients, marking a 17.6% improvement in cancer identification rates. Furthermore, screenings aided by AI experienced a slight reduction in false positives. Where suspected cancer is later ruled out through further testing.
The study demonstrates AI’s potential to enhance early cancer detection while reducing workload. Stefan Bunk, chief technology officer and cofounder of Vara, the Berlin-based company behind the AI software, suggested that AI could replace one of the two initial human readers traditionally required in Germany’s screening protocol. “This discussion should now start,” Bunk stated, emphasizing the need to integrate AI effectively into radiologists’ workflows for maximum efficiency and accuracy.