Women at higher risk of getting breast cancer may now have a better chance of catching tumors early. That’s because an AI-powered software tool that enhances breast screenings, especially in dense tissue, is now available at more hospitals across the country.
DeepLook Medical recently announced that several hospital systems across the US, including the Mayo Clinic, the Cleveland Clinic, AdventHealth, and Geisinger have adopted its flagship AI platform, DL Precise, which improves detection of lesions, especially in women with dense breast.
What makes dense tissue tricky is that it appears as the same white color on mammograms as cancer, which is why 50% of cancers can be missed using traditional mammograms.
Marissa Fayer, CEO of DeepLook Medical, told Medtech Insight, DL Precise offers clinicians an enhanced view of screenings by adding color to the gray images.
This is especially beneficial, Fayer said, for women with density as it provides contrast to the “white on white,” making lesions easier to spot.
Breast density, according to the American Cancer Society, does not refer to the size or firmness of the breast, but rather how much fibrous and glandular tissue is in the breast compared to fat tissue.
More than 45% of women worldwide — and more than half of women in the US older than 40 — have dense tissue, putting them at four to six times the risk of developing breast cancer compared to women with fatty breasts.
“We’re not making decisions. We’re not making recommendations. We’re augmenting what is already there with our technology. It’s as simple as that.”
Marissa Fayer
DeepLook’s FDA-cleared AI tool, Fayer explained, is like “a magnifying glass” for radiologists that overlays existing imaging systems using proprietary shape-recognition AI.
As Fayer noted, the on-demand DL Precise platform integrates directly into existing workstations, making it easier for radiologists to access it if they feel they need a deeper look.
“We’re the only one embedded into the workflow and happening live — no post-processing,” Fayer said. “We’re not making decisions. We’re not making recommendations. We’re augmenting what is already there with our technology. It’s as simple as that.”
In other words, DL Precise provides radiologists with a tool to help them do their job, not with one to replace their clinical judgement.
Using DL Precise is user-friendly, Fayer said, requiring no additional screens, tools, or certifications and is only displayed when the clinician wishes to access it.
Fayer cited preliminary data on DL Precise from its use at a hospital in New York in which it was associated with a 12% improvement in recalls or callbacks, which is when patients are called back for further testing.
Low callback rates often result in missed cancers whereas high callback rates can lead to unnecessary supplemental imaging and biopsies.
The American College of Radiology and the FDA have established national standards for callback rates with the target rate between 8% and 9%. The current national acceptable range is 5% to 12%.
The commercial adoption of the AI platform comes at a good time, not just for DeepLook Medical but for women with dense breast as awareness about density continues to grow.
Last year, the FDA issued a final rule requiring providers inform patients about density on routine mammogram reports.
Recent data from clinical studies has shown that screenings alone are just not good enough for women with dense breasts. But data is also showing that AI tools, such as DL Precise, can aid clinicians in catching tumors in women with density much earlier. And as with all cancers, early detection is vital.
The commercial adoption of DL Precise, Fayer said, points not only to the growing demand and need for enhanced imaging, especially for dense tissue, but to the critical role AI can play in improving women’s health.
Fayer also noted plans to expand the platform outside the US.
“We’re seeing firsthand how intelligent imaging can immediately enhance clinical decision-making, reduce variability, and bring clarity to some of the most complex cases, especially in dense tissue where traditional tools often fall short,” she said.