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Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy spoke with large groups of lawmakers Thursday about slashing government spending once President-elect Donald Trump takes office in January. Their plans could have an outsized impact in Maryland.Analyzing multiple mammograms improves breast cancer risk prediction December 5, 2024 Washington University School of Medicine A new method of analyzing mammograms identified individuals at high risk of developing breast cancer more accurately than the standard, questionnaire-based method did. The new method, powered by artificial intelligence, could help diagnose cancer earlier and guide recommendations for earlier screening, additional imaging or risk-reducing medications. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIN Email A new study from Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis describes an innovative method of analyzing mammograms that significantly improves the accuracy of predicting the risk of breast cancer development over the following five years. Using up to three years of previous mammograms, the new method identified individuals at high risk of developing breast cancer 2.3 times more accurately than the standard method, which is based on questionnaires assessing clinical risk factors alone, such as age, race and family history of breast cancer. The study is published Dec. 5 in JCO Clinical Cancer Informatics . "We are seeking ways to improve early detection, since that increases the chances of successful treatment," said senior author Graham A. Colditz, MD, DrPH, associate director of Siteman Cancer Center, based at Barnes-Jewish Hospital and WashU Medicine, and the Niess-Gain Professor of Surgery. "This improved prediction of risk also may help research surrounding prevention, so that we can find better ways for women who fall into the high-risk category to lower their five-year risk of developing breast cancer." This risk-prediction method builds on past research led by Colditz and lead author Shu (Joy) Jiang, PhD, a statistician, data scientist and associate professor of surgery in the Division of Public Health Sciences at WashU Medicine. The researchers showed that prior mammograms hold a wealth of information on early signs of breast cancer development that can't be perceived even by a well-trained human eye. This information includes subtle changes over time in breast density, which is a measure of the relative amounts of fibrous versus fatty tissue in the breasts. For the new study, the team built an algorithm based on artificial intelligence that can discern subtle differences in mammograms and help identify those women at highest risk of developing a new breast tumor over a specific timeframe. In addition to breast density, their machine-learning tool considers changes in other patterns in the images, including in texture, calcification and asymmetry within the breasts. "Our new method is able to detect subtle changes over time in repeated mammogram images that are not visible to the eye," said Jiang, yet these changes hold rich information that can help identify high-risk individuals. At the moment, risk-reduction options are limited and can include drugs such as tamoxifen that lower risk but may have unwanted side effects. Most of the time, women at high risk are offered more frequent screening or the option of adding another imaging method, such as an MRI, to try to identify cancer as early as possible. "Today, we don't have a way to know who is likely to develop breast cancer in the future based on their mammogram images," said co-author Debbie L. Bennett, MD, an associate professor of radiology and chief of breast imaging for the Mallinckrodt Institute of Radiology at WashU Medicine. "What's so exciting about this research is that it indicates that it is possible to glean this information from current and prior mammograms using this algorithm. The prediction is never going to be perfect, but this study suggests the new algorithm is much better than our current methods." AI improves prediction of breast cancer development The researchers trained their machine-learning algorithm on the mammograms of more than 10,000 women who received breast cancer screenings through Siteman Cancer Center from 2008 -- 2012. These individuals were followed through 2020, and in that time 478 were diagnosed with breast cancer. The researchers then applied their method to predict breast cancer risk in a separate set of patients -- more than 18,000 women who received mammograms through Emory University in the Atlanta area from 2013 -- 2020. Subsequently, 332 women were diagnosed with breast cancer during the follow-up period, which ended in 2020. According to the new prediction model, women in the high-risk group were 21 times more likely to be diagnosed with breast cancer over the following five years than were those in the lowest-risk group. In the high-risk group, 53 out of every 1,000 women screened developed breast cancer over the next five years. In contrast, in the low-risk group, 2.6 women per 1,000 screened developed breast cancer over the following five years. Under the old questionnaire-based methods, only 23 women per 1,000 screened were correctly classified in the high-risk group, providing evidence that the old method, in this case, missed 30 breast cancer cases that the new method found. The mammograms were conducted at academic medical centers and community clinics, demonstrating that the accuracy of the method holds up in diverse settings. Importantly, the algorithm was built with robust representation of Black women, who are usually underrepresented in development of breast cancer risk models. The accuracy for predicting risk held up across racial groups. Of the women screened through Siteman, most were white, and 27% were Black. Of those screened through Emory, 42% were Black. In ongoing work, the researchers are testing the algorithm in women of diverse racial and ethnic backgrounds, including those of Asian, southeast Asian and Native American descent, to help ensure that the method is equally accurate for everyone. The researchers are working with WashU's Office of Technology Management toward patents and licensing on the new method with the goal of making it broadly available anywhere screening mammograms are provided. Colditz and Jiang also are working toward founding a start-up company around this technology. Jiang S, Bennett DL, Rosner BA, Tamimi RM, Colditz GA. Development and validation of a dynamic 5-year breast cancer risk model using repeated mammograms. JCO Clinical Cancer Informatics. Dec. 5, 2024. This work was supported by Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis. Jiang and Colditz have patents pending related to this work, predicting disease risk using radiomic images. Story Source: Materials provided by Washington University School of Medicine . Original written by Julia Evangelou Strait. Note: Content may be edited for style and length. Journal Reference : Cite This Page :
NonePHOENIX — Every year, St. Vincent de Paul serves millions of meals to hungry families and individuals, with one of the largest industrial kitchens in the Southwest and four charitable dining rooms. RELATED: Turkey Tuesday: Donate to help feed Arizona families for the holiday season The St. Vincent de Paul's family dining room in Phoenix provides a unique and dignified experience for families in need. >> Download the 12News app for the latest local breaking news straight to your phone. When a family visits the dining room at St. Vincent de Paul, like Phoenix mom Alyssa DeSapio and four her kids, they are immediately surrounded with love, regardless of the struggles they’re enduring. “Take care of four of my kids and then I’m going to two different colleges, just to try to get out of the hood I guess you would say,” she said. For DeSapio, life isn’t easy. “It’s pretty hectic managing four different kids,” she said. "Their appointments, therapy, school on my own and helping them with their school, but we make it happen.” DeSapio says it’s especially difficult financially. “I’m basically living on a fixed income, I’m in section 8 housing, so I get a little check for my utilities and that doesn’t really cover my utilities, so I always fall behind, so financially I’m struggling,” she said. But still, she remains strong for her kids. “No matter what, I always make a way to find clothes or diapers or whatever they need,” said DeSapio. At SVDP’s family room, a team helps meet the needs of families like theirs. “We come almost every day,” she said. Families with children under 18 are seated together to enjoy a meal on tables with tablecloths with real silverware. Volunteers serve them restaurant-style, providing meal options for them to choose from, bringing the food to their table. It doesn’t feel like a traditional soup kitchen. “The dining room is open,” said Cindy Bernardo, the family evening program manager. “We’re feeding the residents and the families as we do Monday through Friday... they get to sit down and relax.” Bernardo says the families get a choice of two meals, to give them the feeling like they’re at a restaurant. The special experience is about so much more than just a hot meal. “Agencies come here so they can offer their services to the families, and then we had a barbershop quartet for the first time,” said Bernardo. For DeSapio and her kids, it’s a family experience where they feel respected and cared for. “It changes everything,” she said. “Places like this really help families like me, just be able to get the necessities that we need to get by.” The team of staff and volunteers in the dining room are truly making life better for DeSapio and her kids, along with so many others. “I just think it’s wonderful,” she said. “It is God’s work, definitely.” During the summer, the Phoenix dining room also serves as a heat relief station, offering cold water, air conditioning and temporary shelter to those experiencing homelessness. Other services like medical care, identification replacement and overnight shelter are also available through partner agencies for anyone in need. For more information, click here . Watch 12News+ for free You can now watch 12News content anytime, anywhere thanks to the 12News+ app! The free 12News+ app from 12News lets users stream live events — including daily newscasts like "Today in AZ" and "12 News" and our daily lifestyle program, "Arizona Midday"—on Roku and Amazon Fire TV . 12News+ showcases live video throughout the day for breaking news, local news, weather and even an occasional moment of Zen showcasing breathtaking sights from across Arizona. Users can also watch on-demand videos of top stories, local politics, I-Team investigations, Arizona-specific features and vintage videos from the 12News archives. Roku : Add the channel from the Roku store or by searching for "12 News KPNX." Amazon Fire TV : Search for "12 News KPNX" to find the free 12News+ app to add to your account , or have the 12News+ app delivered directly to your Amazon Fire TV through Amazon.com or the Amazon app. More ways to get 12News On your phone: Download the 12News app for the latest local breaking news straight to your phone. iTunes Google Play On your streaming device: Download 12News+ to your streaming device The free 12News+ app from 12News lets users stream live events — including daily newscasts like "Today in AZ" and "12 News" and our daily lifestyle program, "Arizona Midday"—on Roku and Amazon Fire TV. 12News+ showcases live video throughout the day for breaking news, local news, weather and even an occasional moment of Zen showcasing breathtaking sights from across Arizona. On social media: Find us on Facebook , Twitter , Instagram and YouTube .After Trump’s win, Black women are rethinking their role as America’s reliable political organizers
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