Artificial Intelligence (AI) is emerging as a powerful tool in detecting interval breast cancers—tumors that appear after a normal screening but before the next scheduled exam. These cancers are often more aggressive and harder to treat.
AI helps in two key ways. First, it can reassess prior images, identifying about one-third of cancers that radiologists missed. Detecting these earlier could convert interval cancers into screen-detected cancers, improving outcomes. Second, AI can predict short-term risk by analyzing subtle imaging features, generating a risk score to guide personalized follow-up. High-risk patients may receive earlier or additional imaging like MRI or ultrasound, while low-risk patients might safely wait longer between screenings.
Studies show AI not only detects cancers previously overlooked but also identifies tumors more likely to be aggressive, including those with lymph node involvement. Models like Mirai can flag over 40% of future interval cancers in high-risk patients. In the future, AI could make breast cancer screening more precise, proactive, and personalized.