A groundbreaking Dutch study has revealed that artificial intelligence (AI) can detect breast tumors faster and at an earlier stage in the national breast cancer screening program, potentially allowing treatment to begin sooner and improving patient outcomes.
Published in The Lancet, the research suggests that AI could replace the need for a second radiologist in the screening process, a change that could save millions of euros annually while reducing the workload on specialists. Traditionally, two radiologists review mammograms in the Netherlands.
The study, led by breast radiologist Riets Man from Radboud University Medical Center, analyzed 42,000 mammograms from the Utrecht region. The scans were also evaluated using AI technology developed by ScreenPoint Medical.
Over a follow-up period of nearly four and a half years, researchers found that one radiologist working with AI detected more tumors than two radiologists working without it.
Importantly, the AI-assisted approach identified tumors at earlier stages, which is critical for successful treatment.
Researchers believe this advancement could mark a significant step forward in cancer diagnostics, combining medical expertise with cutting-edge technology to improve both efficiency and accuracy.
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