Study Says AI Could Reduce Breast Cancer Screening Workload by Nearly 40 Percent

Emerging research suggests that artificial intelligence (AI) may play a key role in reducing the breast cancer screening workload for radiologists.

In a retrospective study involving 4,310 women and a total of 5,182 digital breast tomosynthesis (DBT) procedures, the authors found that utilization of an AI model to filter out normal DBT exams led to a 39.6 percent reduction in workload, similar sensitivity for detecting breast cancer (90.0 percent compared to 90.8 percent for radiologist-led screenings) and a 25 percent lower recall rate (6.9 percent compared to 9.2 percent for radiologists).

“We envision that implementation of this type of model within the clinic could affect three different levels: for radiologists, by reducing both workload and fatigue arising from routine clinical tasks; for health systems, by improving workflow and facilitating further introduction of DBT, especially where there is a shortage of breast radiologists; and for women, by reducing unnecessary recalls, stress, and exposure to radiation,” wrote Lisa A. Mullen, M.D., a breast imaging fellowship director and an assistant professor of radiology and radiological science at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, and colleagues.

Researchers described the AI model as a mixture of 45 deep learning classifiers that processed the DBT views and five machine learning classifiers that processed clinical information. According to the study, researchers deemed a DBT exam positive or negative for cancer if there were corresponding biopsy findings within 12 months after the DBT exam.

In an accompanying editorial, Liane E. Philpotts, M.D., F.A.C.R., a professor of radiology and biomedical imaging at the Yale School of Medicine, noted the “vast majority” of screening exams are normal, pointing out that in general, one out of every 200 breast cancer screening exams will result in a cancer diagnosis.

“It seems logical that many of these (normal screening exams) could be safely eliminated by an AI system, alleviating a large burden of screening volume,” wrote Dr. Philpotts.

Acknowledging the shortcomings of a modeling study, Dr. Philpotts emphasized that prospective studies are necessary to assess the merits of AI in breast cancer screening are essential prior to widespread use in clinical settings.

The study authors concurred, maintaining that future studies need to demonstrate “substantial evidence” prior to “trusting AI” with a role in breast cancer screening. They noted limitations to the study, including obtaining study data with devices from one manufacturer, and excluding patients with foreign bodies, such as implants, as well as women with a history of breast cancer.