Lunit Insight MMG, an AI-powered breast imaging analysis solution developed by medical AI company Lunit. (Image courtesy of Lunit)
SEOUL, Dec. 18 (Korea Bizwire) – A breast cancer screening AI solution is proving to be a valuable assistant to medical professionals, helping to identify tumors that might otherwise go undetected, according to a physician at Yongin Severance Hospital.
In an interview on December 16, Dr. Lee Si-eun, a radiologist at the hospital, described how artificial intelligence is improving efficiency in medical settings. The hospital uses Lunit Insight MMG, an AI-powered breast imaging analysis solution developed by medical AI company Lunit.
The system analyzes mammography images to detect suspicious areas that might indicate breast cancer. When a patient undergoes a mammogram, the AI tool marks potential tumors or calcifications with circles and analyzes breast density, presenting the information in an intuitive format that even patients can understand.
“While image interpretation is primarily the role of specialized breast radiologists, human eyes have limitations, and there’s always concern about missing something,” Lee explained. “Having AI perform a second check not only improves diagnostic accuracy but also provides peace of mind for medical staff.”
Dr. Lee Si-eun (Image courtesy of Lunit)
She recounted a recent case where the AI system detected a 3mm breast tumor that had been missed during the initial human examination. This capability is particularly valuable in South Korea, where typically only one doctor reviews mammograms, unlike in European countries where two or three physicians might examine the same images.
However, Lee cautioned that AI won’t completely replace radiologists. “While AI could handle routine screenings with high likelihood of normal results, it would be challenging for AI to independently manage the entire diagnostic process, including decisions about additional ultrasound or MRI examinations,” she said.
The interview also highlighted growing concerns about increasing breast cancer rates among younger women. The Korean Breast Cancer Society reported in October that while the median age of breast cancer diagnosis continues to rise, there’s also a steady increase in cases among women under 40, leading to discussions about earlier screening recommendations.
Kevin Lee (kevinlee@koreabizwire.com)
