Using A.I. to Detect Breast Cancer That Doctors Miss Adam Satariano, Cade Metz and Akos Stiller For The New York Times
By Adam Satariano, Cade Metz and Akos Stiller For The New York Times from NYT Technology https://ift.tt/oZJRIY4
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Breast cancer is one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths among women worldwide. It is estimated that in 2020 alone, there were approximately 2.3 million new cases of breast cancer diagnosed globally. Early detection is key to effective treatment and improved survival rates, but unfortunately, even experienced doctors can miss early signs of breast cancer in mammograms. However, the use of artificial intelligence (AI) is helping to bridge this gap.
In a groundbreaking study published in the journal Nature, researchers from Google Health, Cancer Research UK Imperial Centre, and Northwestern University demonstrated that an AI system can detect breast cancer in mammograms with greater accuracy than radiologists.
The study used a dataset of over 76,000 mammograms from more than 15,000 women in the United Kingdom and the United States. The AI system was trained to detect breast cancer by analyzing images from previous mammograms and matching them with biopsy results.
The results of the study showed that the AI system was able to detect breast cancer with an accuracy rate of 94.5%, compared to an accuracy rate of 88.4% for radiologists. The AI system also reduced false positives by 5.7% and false negatives by 9.4%.
This is a significant breakthrough in the fight against breast cancer. AI systems have the potential to help doctors detect breast cancer at an earlier stage, improving patient outcomes and saving lives. With early detection, patients have a greater chance of receiving less invasive treatment options, avoiding chemotherapy, and achieving a better quality of life.
However, it's important to note that AI systems are not intended to replace radiologists or other healthcare professionals. Instead, they should be seen as an additional tool to assist doctors in their decision-making processes. AI systems can analyze large datasets quickly and accurately, providing doctors with important information to help them make more informed diagnoses and treatment plans.
There are also concerns about the ethics of using AI in healthcare, particularly in relation to patient privacy and data security. It's essential to ensure that patients' personal information is kept safe and secure and that AI systems are used ethically and responsibly.
In conclusion, the use of AI in detecting breast cancer is a significant step forward in the fight against this devastating disease. It has the potential to improve patient outcomes, reduce false positives and negatives, and ultimately save lives. However, it's crucial to continue to explore the use of AI in healthcare and ensure that it is used ethically and responsibly to benefit patients and society as a whole.