AI set to offer women 'two for one' heart and breast screening

"Many women undergo screening mammography in midlife when the risk of cardiovascular disease rises. Mammographic features, such as breast arterial calcification and tissue density, are associated with cardiovascular risk. We developed and tested a deep learning algorithm for cardiovascular risk prediction based on routine mammography images. A key advantage of the mammography model is that it did not require additional history taking or medical record data."

"Women could get 'two for one' screening for breast cancer and heart problems using AI, a study suggests. The technology can be trained to examine mammograms images to detect both tumours as well as gauging the potential risk of heart attacks and stroke. Trials revealed the dual process performed just as well as individual screening, which indicated it could become a 'cost-effective' way of checking for both conditions."

"Researchers in Australia developed an AI algorithm based on images from 49,196 women enrolled on the Victoria Lifepool cohort registry, that country's breast cancer research initiative. The average age of the group was 59, with a third taking medication for high cholesterol and 27 per cent for high blood pressure. The aim of the technology was to predict the risk of major cardiovascular disease, such as heart attacks and strokes."

AI analysis of routine mammograms can detect breast tumours and estimate major cardiovascular disease risk including heart attacks and strokes. An algorithm was developed using mammogram images from 49,196 women in the Victoria Lifepool cohort, average age 59, with notable prevalence of high cholesterol and hypertension medication. The model uses mammographic features such as breast arterial calcification and tissue density and requires only images and age without additional clinical records. Over a mean follow-up of nearly nine years, thousands experienced cardiovascular events. Algorithm performance matched traditional age-and-clinical-variable calculators, suggesting potential for efficient dual screening.

Read at Mail Online