Health and Wellness
New AI technology can detect cancer faster in mammograms
A brand new service introducing artificial intelligence (AI) products for mammography could enable earlier detection of breast cancer. However, doctors warn about variable prices and potential lack of effectiveness in patients of color.
AI programs catch what traditional mammography may miss. According to , mammography now detects 87% of breast cancer cases. However, an AI-based X-ray model can detect hidden types of the disease.
Traditional mammograms can also result in false positive results and unnecessary preventive treatments. Artificial intelligence models would significantly solve these problems, but in addition they have drawbacks.
As technology becomes more available, the costs for incorporating it change. In the absence of an official billing code for healthcare providers, the patient is liable for additional costs. Although the worth ranges from $40 to $100 and insurance firms reimburse the price, doctors don’t consider AI-powered mammography a essential standard for everybody.
Moreover, there are particular racial differences regarding this latest technology. The concern is whether or not AI tools will find a way to detect cancer in darker skin tones. Doctors are calling for diversity in development progress to make the drug work in patients of color.
“There is a need for differential training and testing of artificial intelligence tools and algorithms to develop them for different races and ethnicities,” Dr. Dodelzon said. Artificial intelligence is solely a tool that learns from what it sees.”
However, the death rate for black women with breast cancer stays the best amongst all demographics. According to the American Cancer Society, they’ve a 40% probability of larger probability death because of disease. Considering the statistics, AI technology can significantly reduce this mortality rate through earlier detection.
Patients at highest risk are encouraged to adopt the AI model, even when emerging issues limit their full potential.