who were diagnosed with breast cancer within the past 5 years. Breast cancer is however not just a women's health issue, it is also a major contributor of more orphans worldwide. Since the 1980’s, there has been great progress in diagnosis and treatment for breast cancer, but there are huge disparities in survival rates between regions.
One of the main reasons for these differences in survival rate is the timing of diagnosis. Early detection of cancer leads to more efficient treatment which significantly raises the chances of a positive outcome. Many high-income countries have screening programs in place, and simple measures such as breast self-exams can also contribute to early detection. Therefore, raising awareness and educating women globally is crucial.
Once a woman detects the first signs of a tumor, she should receive a diagnosis and start treatment quickly. However, in many remote areas with poorly equipped hospitals, the initial diagnosis can often not be made in smaller clinics, and women may need to travel long distances to receive a diagnosis and get treated. This can be a significant obstacle for many women who may need to take time off work or leave their families for extended periods.
However, the method developed by Dr. Lång still has some way to go before it hits the market. As with all AI tools for medicine, it needs to be thoroughly validated and approved as a medical device before it can be safely used in the clinics.
Several AI systems for assisting doctors in analyzing mammograms for finding breast cancer are already on the market, but for low-cost, hand-held ultrasound devices, this would be a first. While higher-income countries may worry about AI taking away jobs, this is a great example on how it can play a crucial role in democratizing global healthcare and supporting the WHO's goal of reducing the number of maternal deaths due to cancer, particularly breast cancer.