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Oslo, Norway — Artificial intelligence (AI) has shown the ability to predict which women are at an elevated risk of developing breast cancer years before it is diagnosed, according to a recent study conducted by the Norwegian Institute of Public Health (FHI). The groundbreaking research, published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, could pave the way for more personalized and efficient breast cancer detection programs.
A team of five researchers from FHI, along with experts from the University of California and the University of Washington, utilized a commercially available AI program to analyze mammography data from 116,495 women who participated in a Norwegian detection program between 2004 and 2018. Among these women, 1,607 were later diagnosed with breast cancer.
The AI algorithm demonstrated a remarkable ability to identify women at higher risk of developing breast cancer. In fact, the technology was able to predict which breast would develop cancer, as much as four to six years before a diagnosis was made. According to Solveig Hofvind, head of the Norwegian detection program, the AI score of the breast that eventually developed cancer was about twice as high as the other breast.
“The study shows that the AI algorithms already available on the market can be used to develop more personalized detection programs,” said Hofvind. “This could be an important tool for improving early detection and targeting at-risk populations more effectively.”
AI-based early detection could potentially reduce healthcare costs while improving outcomes by allowing for timely interventions. Breast cancer remains the most common form of cancer among women globally. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), 670,000 women died from breast cancer in 2022.
Building on this research, the Norwegian detection program has launched a new project involving 140,000 women. This project aims to explore whether AI can match or even outperform human radiologists in diagnosing breast cancer cases.
The study marks a significant step forward in the use of artificial intelligence to revolutionize healthcare and early cancer detection.
Disclaimer: The findings of this study are based on retrospective analysis and further validation is required to confirm the effectiveness of AI in real-world clinical settings. Always consult with a healthcare professional for medical advice and diagnosis.
