Emerging Areas in Early Detection
Some tools under study for breast cancer screening and early detection are discussed below.
More research is needed to know whether these tools may play a role in breast cancer screening. Some may play a role in breast cancer screening but only for certain groups of women at higher risk.
Artificial intelligence (AI) in mammography
Artificial intelligence (AI) computer models are trained on a large number of mammograms to learn which features of the images are likely to be signs of breast cancer.
There’s no standard AI model for reading mammograms. Rather, different researchers are studying different AI models that are trained on different sets of mammograms.
The goals of AI-supported (AI-assisted) mammography screening are to improve screening accuracy and to reduce the workload for radiologists. Researchers are studying whether AI can tell which mammograms show a low chance of breast cancer versus a higher chance of breast cancer [181]. Researchers are also studying whether AI can find as many breast cancers on mammograms as radiologists do [182,185]. However, it’s not clear how AI might become a part of breast cancer screening.
The use of AI in breast cancer screening is under study and is not part of standard care today.
Molecular breast imaging (nuclear medicine imaging of the breast)
Molecular breast imaging (also called nuclear medicine breast imaging) uses a short-term radioactive agent (called a tracer). The tracer is given by vein (through an IV) and is absorbed into tissues, including the breast.
Breast cancer cells appear to absorb more of the tracer than healthy cells absorb. The cancer cells can then be imaged with a special camera.
A woman getting molecular breast imaging is positioned in a similar way as with mammography. Each breast is pressed between 2 plates and the machine takes images.
Molecular breast imaging is under study for use in breast cancer screening, including screening for women with dense breasts [93,99]. It’s also under study for use in breast cancer diagnosis and staging.
Molecular breast imaging techniques include:
- Breast-specific gamma imaging (BSGI). The radioactive tracers used in BSGI emit gamma rays that are tracked by a special camera.
- Positron emission mammography (PEM). The radioactive tracers used in PEM are sugars. PEM uses positron emission tomography (PET), a test that shows how much sugar is consumed by cells, along with a special camera to image cells. Cancer cells tend to consume more sugar than normal cells and this can help identify tumors.
BSGI and PEM are not part of breast cancer screening guidelines.
Although they are still under study, BSGI and PEM are sometimes used in clinical practice, but are not widely available.
Molecular breast imaging and radiation exposure
A main concern about the use of BSGI and PEM for screening is the amount of radiation exposure to the whole body. Because the radiation in the tracer is delivered through an IV, other parts of the body (not just the breasts) are exposed to the radiation.
Even with modern machines, BSGI and PEM give a dose of radiation to the body that ranges from about 2-21 times higher than the dose from a mammogram [100-101].
Ways to lower the amount of radiation exposure are under study [102].
Abbreviated breast MRI (AB-MRI, fast breast MRI)
Breast magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) uses magnetic fields to create an image of the breast.
An abbreviated breast MRI (AB-MRI, fast MRI) takes fewer images than a typical breast MRI. Since fewer images are taken, an abbreviated MRI procedure is faster for the patient than a typical MRI. And, with fewer images, it takes less time for the radiologist to interpret the images than with a typical MRI.
As with a typical breast MRI, a contrast agent (gadolinium) is given by vein (through an IV) before the procedure. In rare cases, people can have a reaction to gadolinium.
Whether abbreviated breast MRI is useful in breast cancer screening is under study [103-107].
Learn more about standard breast MRI.
A note about thermography
Thermography uses infrared light to measure temperature differences on the surface of the breast. However, there’s no solid scientific evidence thermography measures of heat can help find breast cancers [108].
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the American College of Radiology and the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) do not support the use of thermography as a breast cancer screening tool [9,109-110].
In 2011, 2017, 2019 and 2021, the FDA issued consumer updates warning the public about misleading claims by thermography practitioners and manufacturers on the screening benefits of thermography [110]. To read the full 2021 update, visit the FDA website.
Clinical trials of emerging screening methods
If you’re interested in joining a clinical trial studying new screening methods, talk with your health care provider.
Susan G. Komen® Patient Care Center |
If you or a loved one needs information or resources about clinical trials, the Patient Care Center can help. Contact the Komen Breast Care Helpline at 1-877-465-6636 or email clinicaltrialinfo@komen.org. The Patient Care Center navigators offer breast cancer clinical trial education and support, such as:
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BreastCancerTrials.org in collaboration with Komen offers a custom matching service to help you find clinical trials on breast cancer screening.
Learn more about clinical trials.
Our commitment to research |
At Susan G. Komen®, we are committed to saving lives by meeting the most critical needs in our communities and investing in breakthrough research to prevent and cure breast cancer. Our Research Program is an essential driving force for achieving this mission. Since our inception in 1982, Komen has provided funding to support research grants that have greatly expanded our knowledge of breast cancer and helped us understand that breast cancer is not just a single disease but many diseases, unique to each individual. To date, Komen has provided nearly $1.1 billion to researchers in 47 states, the District of Columbia and 24 countries to support research that has resulted in a better understanding of breast cancer; earlier detection; personalized, less invasive treatments for what was once a “one-treatment-fits-all” disease; and improvements in both quality of life and survival rates. Learn more about our continuing investment in research and the exciting research that we are funding, because nothing would make us happier than ending breast cancer forever. |
Susan G. Komen research spotlight
Komen funds research studying methods of early detection.
Big Data for Breast Cancer initiative
Komen’s Big Data for Breast Cancer (BD4BC) initiative supports programs and research that use big data to increase equity in high-quality breast cancer care to save lives.
For example, a Komen-funded research project is working to develop a risk prediction tool to identify women at high risk for having a breast cancer missed by mammography [111-113]. These women may be diagnosed with later stage breast cancer despite regular mammography screening.
Learn more about Komen’s BD4BC initiative.
Molecular breast imaging
Komen is funding research on the use of molecular breast imaging for breast cancer screening in women with dense breasts.
Learn more about Komen-funded research on molecular breast imaging.
Updated 06/26/24
