Feature story
Could AI tools for breast cancer worsen disparities? Patchy public data in FDA filings fuel concern
THURSDAY, February 11, 2021 (STAT)—The great hope of artificial intelligence in breast cancer is that it can distinguish harmless lesions from those likely to become malignant. By scanning millions of pixels, AI promises to help physicians find an answer for every patient far sooner, offering them freedom from anxiety or a better chance against a deadly disease.
But the Food and Drug Administration’s decision to grant clearances to these products without requiring them to publicly disclose how extensively their tools have been tested on people of color threatens to worsen already gaping disparities in outcomes within breast cancer, a disease which is 46% more likely to be fatal for Black women.
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Delays in cancer screenings and early detection brought on by the pandemic could lead to a rise in deaths
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How Scientists Shot Down Cancer’s ‘Death Star’
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Ambiguous genetic test results can be unsettling. Worse, they can lead to needless surgeries.
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Foundation news
This Valentine’s Day, Check Your Mate for early signs of cancer
Early detection of some cancers doesn’t seem very romantic, but it can be sexy and fun! Take the time to get to know your partner’s body and detect any irregularities that could be the first signs of cancer. What’s more romantic than saving your partner’s life by detecting cancer at its earliest and most treatable stage? Check Your Mate.
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