Diagnostic screening programs help catch cancer, abnormalities or other diseases before they reach an advanced stage, saving lives and healthcare costs. Screening programs include, lung, breast, prostate, and cervical cancer, among many others.
There are no standards requiring radiologists to report on the presence of BACs, even though up to half of referring providers have indicated they would prefer to be made aware of the finding.
Breast artery calcifications are already visible when radiologists review mammograms, but nothing typically happens with them. Researchers aimed to see if AI could help translate those findings into an easy-to-understand cardiovascular risk score.
Despite the great progress that has been made toward the clinical implementation of AI, new data caution against trusting the technology as a single reader in certain settings.
According to new survey data, nonadherence is not for lack of concern about the disease—75% of the women surveyed reported being concerned about their breast health.
Currently, there is no standardized reporting requirement related to BACs, and ACR classifies reporting vascular calcifications on breast imaging as optional.
Digital breast tomosythesis now makes up close to 50% of mammography systems in the U.S. "Tomo is going to replace just straight digital mammography simply because of the benefit of fewer recalls," explained Debra L. Monticciolo, MD.
Debra L. Monticciolo, MD, past president of both the Society of Breast Imaging and the American College of Radiology, explains the advantages and disadvantages of current breast screening technology.