AI can spot cancer at least as well as human experts

Technology advancements mean improved tools for breast cancer screenings

KECSKEMÉT, Hungary — In a dark room at Bács-Kiskun County Hospital outside Budapest, Dr. Éva Ambrózay, a radiologist with more than two decades of experience, peered at a computer monitor showing a mammogram.

Two radiologists had previously said the X-ray showed no signs the patient had breast cancer. But Ambrózay was looking closely at several areas of the scan circled in red, which artificial intelligence software had flagged as potentially cancerous.

“This is something,” she said. She soon ordered the woman to be called back for a biopsy, which is taking place within the next week.

Advancements in AI are beginning to deliver breakthroughs in breast cancer screening, detecting signs doctors miss. So far, the technology is showing an impressive ability to spot cancer at least as well as human radiologists.

Hungary, which has a robust breast cancer screening program, is one of the largest testing grounds for the technology on real patients. At five hospitals and clinics that perform more than 35,000 screenings a year, AI systems were rolled out starting in 2021.

Clinics and hospitals in the United States, Britain and the European Union are also beginning to test or provide data to help develop the systems.

Widespread use of the cancer detection technology still faces many hurdles, doctors and AI developers said.

Additional clinical trials are needed before the systems can be more widely adopted as an automated second or third reader of breast cancer screens.

The tool also must show it can produce accurate results on women of all ages, ethnicities and body types and can recognize more complex forms of breast cancer while cutting down on false positives, radiologists and AI experts said.