Monika Pansari about the Role of AI in Breast Cancer Screening

Monika Pansari, Senior Consultant in Surgical Oncology at Fortis Hospital, shared a post on LinkedIn:

“The Role of AI in Breast Cancer Screening: A Step Towards Precision and Efficiency.

Breast cancer remains one of the most common cancers worldwide, impacting millions of women each year. As the fight against this disease continues, early detection remains the cornerstone of improving survival rates.

In recent years, Artificial Intelligence (AI) has emerged as a revolutionary tool in breast cancer screening, promising to enhance diagnostic accuracy, streamline workflows, and enable more personalized care for patients.

Enhancing Early Detection with AI

AI’s role in breast cancer screening primarily revolves around improving early detection. Studies have shown that AI can detect breast cancer with accuracy comparable to that of seasoned radiologists.

For example, AI algorithms can analyze mammogram images to detect complex patterns and subtle findings, such as microcalcifications and architectural distortions, which may be missed by the human eye. This capability significantly boosts the sensitivity of screenings, aiding in the early identification of cancers that are potentially life-threatening but still at a treatable stage.

In a recent study, the integration of AI in mammographic screening was found to reduce both false-positive and false-negative results, leading to an improvement in overall diagnostic accuracy.

By acting as a ‘second reader’ in the screening process, AI not only supports radiologists but also helps prioritize high-risk cases, allowing for more timely and accurate diagnostic decisions. This reduces patient anxiety associated with long wait times and helps streamline the path to treatment.

Addressing Screening Challenges

AI is not merely a tool for detection; it addresses several longstanding challenges in breast cancer screening:

1. Overcoming the Radiologist Shortage: The global shortage of radiologists is a significant barrier to timely breast cancer detection. By integrating AI into screening workflows, healthcare providers can optimize radiologists’ time, allowing them to focus on complex cases while routine screenings are effectively managed by AI systems.

2. Managing Breast Density Variability: Breast density is a known factor that affects the visibility of tumors on mammograms.

AI algorithms, trained on diverse datasets, can improve detection rates in women with dense breast tissue, thereby reducing the disparities in screening outcomes. This makes AI an invaluable asset in ensuring that variations in breast tissue do not compromise the quality of care.

3. Enhancing Workflow Efficiency: AI can assist in organizing screening workflows by prioritizing cases needing urgent attention. This efficiency not only improves radiologist performance but also ensures that patients with suspicious findings are quickly diagnosed and treated, ultimately leading to better outcomes.

The Path to Personalized Screening

One of AI’s most promising aspects in breast cancer care is its potential for personalization. With AI’s data-driven approach, screening strategies can be tailored to the individual.

By incorporating a patient’s unique risk factors and breast tissue characteristics, AI can suggest optimized screening intervals and methods, making it a step towards personalized medicine in oncology.

Ethical Considerations and Future Directions

While AI’s role in breast cancer screening is undeniably transformative, it brings with it certain ethical considerations. Issues such as data privacy, algorithmic bias, and the integration of AI tools into existing healthcare systems need careful attention.

To fully realize AI’s potential, ongoing collaboration is essential between healthcare professionals, technologists, and regulatory bodies. Ensuring AI systems are trained on diverse and representative datasets will be critical for developing fair and inclusive tools.

A Future of Improved Breast Cancer Care

As AI continues to evolve, its integration into breast cancer screening could transform healthcare practices. For clinicians, it offers the opportunity to combine the power of advanced technology with human expertise, resulting in a more accurate, efficient, and personalized approach to breast cancer care.

Embracing AI in breast cancer screening is not just about technological progress; it is about saving lives. For healthcare professionals like me, the goal is to ensure that every woman receives timely and accurate screenings, with AI serving as an ally in the pursuit of early detection and better outcomes.”

More posts featuring Monika Pansari.

Dr. Monika Pansari is a Senior Consultant in Surgical Oncology at Fortis Hospital, Bangalore, specializing in breast and gynecological cancers.

She holds an MS and DNB in Surgical Oncology and is skilled in advanced breast cancer surgeries, including breast-conserving surgery, nipple-sparing mastectomy, oncoplastic reconstruction, and lymph node dissection techniques to reduce lymphedema.

In gynecological oncology, she performs complex laparoscopic and open surgeries, as well as fertility-preserving and cytoreductive procedures, including HIPEC and PIPAC for peritoneal cancers. Dr. Pansari also treats benign breast conditions, providing comprehensive and specialized care.