AI Predicts Breast Cancer Years in Advance

An innovative artificial intelligence model developed by researchers at NYU Langone Health may soon help doctors predict a woman's risk of developing breast cancer years before it occurs. This AI tool analyzes multiple years of a woman's 3D mammograms, tracking changes in breast tissue over time, offering a more dynamic assessment than single scans.

The model was trained on an extensive dataset comprising over 313,000 mammograms from more than 161,000 women. Experts suggest this AI could identify women whose elevated risk might otherwise be missed by traditional assessments, which often rely solely on family history or genetic mutations.

While the AI risk score is not a definitive cancer diagnosis, it can serve as an important prompt for patients and their healthcare providers to discuss further screening options, such as MRI, or risk-reduction strategies. It is important to note that the technology is still a research tool and has not yet received FDA authorization for clinical use. Further testing with data from diverse medical centers and equipment manufacturers is planned.