Geisinger has launched an artificial intelligence pilot program aimed at identifying patients who are at high risk for developing breast cancer, as announced by health system officials on Monday.
During an event at the Geisinger Wyoming Valley Medical Center, Ron Beer, the chief administrative officer for the Geisinger Northeast Region, welcomed representatives from state health and insurance departments. He highlighted the importance of addressing a disease that the American Cancer Society estimates will affect one in eight women in their lifetime.
Dr. Ahmad Hanif, division chief of Hematology and Oncology for Geisinger Northeast Region, emphasized that the recent renovation and expansion of the Frank and Dorothea Henry Cancer Center included the establishment of a state-of-the-art breast clinic. Earlier this summer, Geisinger also opened the Dickson City Cancer Center to broaden its service offerings in Lackawanna County.
“In Dickson City, we now provide a wider range of care thanks to new technology and advancements in cancer treatment. One of our initiatives is the AI-enabled breast cancer screening program, which identifies high-risk patients and connects them with appropriate care,” Hanif stated.
The AI model works by evaluating primary care patients who are overdue for a mammogram, flagging those deemed at the highest risk for breast cancer based on their electronic health records. Following this, the Geisinger Care Gap Team reaches out to these patients to inform them of their risk and assist in scheduling a mammogram.
Additionally, these patients are referred to one of Geisinger”s high-risk breast clinics. Hanif noted, “The earlier we detect cancer, the better the outcomes, particularly with breast cancer. Women diagnosed at an early stage have over a 90% chance of survival. Thus, any technology that aids in early detection or identifies potential issues before cancer develops is incredibly promising, which is the goal of our AI tool.”
Hanif remarked that AI-powered screening tools represent a significant advancement in enhancing early detection and saving lives. “Such tools would not be feasible without our dedicated team of data scientists, including Biplab Bhattacharya, our data science program director who led the technical development of the AI model,” he added.
Pennsylvania Secretary of Health Dr. Debra Bogen expressed her anticipation for the results at the pilot program”s conclusion. “I commend Geisinger for implementing this innovative technology to facilitate earlier breast cancer detection,” she said. She also noted the personal impact of breast cancer, sharing her own experiences with family members affected by the disease.
Bogen reflected, “Most of us are connected to someone impacted by this disease. My sister and close friend are breast cancer survivors, while my maternal grandparents both succumbed to it. They lived in an era before mammography was available, but my sister and friend benefited from early detection through screening.”
She emphasized the critical nature of early detection, stating, “They are thriving and cancer-free today, exemplifying that early detection is pivotal, as treatments are more effective at initial stages.”
According to Bogen, over 13,000 women in Pennsylvania were diagnosed with breast cancer last year, making it the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths among females in the United States, after lung cancer. The disease disproportionately affects Black and Hispanic women, who often receive diagnoses at later stages.
The Department of Health”s Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program is actively working to reduce disparities by providing screening for low- to moderate-income families without insurance. The program also offers breast cancer screenings, including 3D and digital mammograms, ultrasounds, and MRIs for individuals aged 40 to 64, as well as cervical cancer screenings for those aged 21 to 64.
This past year, the program conducted screenings for over 10,000 women in Pennsylvania and provided more than 5,000 diagnostic services for breast cancer, resulting in a number of diagnoses.
Caroline Beohm, policy director for the Pennsylvania Insurance Department, mentioned that Act One of 2023 mandates that insurance coverage includes comprehensive breast cancer screening and genetic testing for individuals at high risk. This legislation, signed by Governor Josh Shapiro, ensures that supplemental screening MRIs, ultrasounds, and BRCA-related genetic testing are provided at no cost to high-risk women covered by various insurance plans.
“We encourage everyone to take advantage of these preventive health services and get screened today,” Beohm urged.
Under the Affordable Care Act, most health insurance policies are required to cover numerous preventive health services without cost sharing, which includes breast cancer screenings and other essential women”s health services.
