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The world’s first techniques for predicting breast cancer risk from mammograms that were developed in Melbourne could revolutionize breast cancer screening by making it suitable for women at minimal additional cost.
Published in the International Journal of Cancer, the study conducted by the University of Melbourne revealed two new measures of risk based on mammography.
When these measures are combined, they are more effective at stratifying women in terms of breast cancer risk than breast density and all known genetic risk factors.
The researchers say that if adopted successfully, their new measures could dramatically improve screening, make it more effective at reducing mortality and less stressful for women, and therefore encourage more screening. They could also help in solving the problem of dense breasts.
Since the late 1970s, scientists have known that women with denser breasts, who appear on a mammogram as having whiter or brighter regions, are more likely to be diagnosed with breast cancer and miss it when screened. .
In collaboration with the Cancer Council Victoria and BreastScreen Victoria, researchers at the University of Melbourne were the first to study other ways to study breast cancer risk using mammograms.
Using computer programs to analyze mammographic images of large numbers of women with and without breast cancer, they found two new metrics to extract risk information. Cirrocumulus is based on the brightest areas of the image and Cirrus is based on its texture.
First, they used a semi-automated computer method to measure density at usual and successively higher levels of light to create cirrocumulus clouds.
They then used artificial intelligence (AI) and high-speed computing to learn about new aspects of the texture (not brightness) of a mammogram that predict breast cancer risk and have created Cirrus.
When their new Cirrocumulus and Cirrus measurements were combined, they dramatically improved risk prediction beyond that of all other known risk factors.
University of Melbourne lead researcher and professor John Hopper said that in terms of understanding the differences between women in their breast cancer risk, these developments could be the most important since the discovery of cancer genes. breast BRCA1 and BRCA2 25 years ago.
“These measures could revolutionize mammography screening at little additional cost because they simply use computer programs. The new measures could also be combined with other risk factors collected during screening, such as family history and lifestyle factors, to provide an even stronger and holistic picture of a woman’s risk, ”he said. declared Professor Hopper.
“Tailored screening – and not a one-size-fits-all solution – could then be based on the precise identification of women at high or low risk so that their screening can be personalized. As mammography is now digital and our measurements are now computerized, women could be assessed for their risk at the time of screening – automatically – and receive recommendations for future screening based on their personal risk, not just their risk. their age, ”Hopper added.
Professor Hopper said this information could be used to ease the pressure on BreastScreen, which has had to shut down for a period during the COVID-19 pandemic and is looking for ways to better manage the backlog while continuing to provide valuable service with limited resources.
He said the current breakthrough could not have happened without the extraordinary support his mammography research received from the National Breast Cancer Foundation, starting with its first round of funding more than 20 years ago.
“Only about 55 percent of Australian women aged 50 to 74 presently present for screening to detect breast cancer early,” he said.
“Knowing that screening could also give an accurate prediction of risk could encourage more women to accept the offer of free screening. Women at high risk based on their mammogram would also greatly benefit from knowing their genetic risk as well, ”he added.
Adjunct Associate Professor Helen Frazer, clinical director of St Vincent’s BreastScreen Melbourne, said improving a woman’s breast cancer risk assessment would be transformative for screening programs.
“Using AI developments to assess risk and personalize screening could provide significant gains in the fight against breast cancer,” said Assistant Associate Professor Frazer.
(This article was posted from an agency feed with no text changes. Only the title has been changed.)
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