As Breast Cancer Awareness Month comes to a close, Becker’s asked oncology leaders from hospitals and health systems across the U.S. how their organizations are supporting technological innovation in breast cancer care.
From contrast enhanced mammography to AI integration, here is how 21 cancer center leaders are utilizing emerging technologies to move breast cancer care forward.
Editor’s note: Responses have been lightly edited for clarity and length.
Q: How is your organization incorporating emerging technologies into breast cancer screening, breast cancer care or both? What innovations are proving most transformative?
Vandana Abramson, MD. Donna S. Hall Chair in Breast Cancer, Co-Leader of the Breast Cancer Research Program, and Breast Cancer Disease Team Leader at Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center (Nashville, Tenn.): Genomic testing is transforming breast cancer care at an unprecedented pace. Using advanced liquid biopsy techniques, tumor DNA circulating in the bloodstream can be analyzed to identify key mutations or alterations in the tumor’s DNA. These discoveries are driving the development of new targeted therapies designed to directly address the genetic changes fueling each patient’s cancer. Patients with metastatic disease at Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center undergo this sort of testing at various timepoints in their disease course to understand factors that may be leading to their cancer progressing on certain treatments.
Debbie Bennett, MD. WashU Medicine Breast Radiologist at Siteman Cancer Center (St. Louis): We are using emerging technologies all along the continuum of breast care, from screening through treatment. We are using AI tools in screening mammography to identify subtle cancers and will soon be piloting an AI tool based on the mammogram image that will allow for more precise, short-term prediction of who is most likely to develop breast cancer, and who might benefit from more intensive screening. At the treatment end of the spectrum, we are using cryoablation, a method of freezing tumors, to treat breast cancer without the need for surgery. This means an easier and faster recovery for patients and potentially better cosmetic results as well.
Richard Bleicher, MD. Chief of the Division of Breast Surgery at Fox Chase Cancer Center (Philadelphia): At Fox Chase Cancer Center, we incorporate the most advanced, well-established technologies based upon our interpretation of data and practice patterns that are established or likely to provide a benefit. To that end, we recently have incorporated AI into our mammographic imaging, as well as integrated risk assessment calculators in our breast radiology screening practice for patients. Moreover, we are also moving forward with contrast enhanced mammography to supplement our sensitivity in breast cancer detection and to allow for supplemental screening in those patients who are unable to undergo breast MRI. The AI and risk assessment are already impactful, and we look forward to the benefits of CEM for our patients as well.
Philip Bomeisl, DO. University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center: From the pathology perspective, University Hospitals has been an early adopter of digital slide scanning across our breast pathology service. This technology lays the groundwork for using AI tools to enhance both quality and efficiency in breast cancer diagnosis. AI has the potential to standardize interpretation, triage malignant cases, flag positive margins, detect lymph node metastases or tiny foci of tumor cells and highlight areas of microinvasion. These tools could improve turnaround time and diagnostic quality, allowing pathologists to focus their attention where it matters most. Just as exciting, AI may also help us study the tumor and its surrounding microenvironment to better understand tumor behavior and predict response to therapy.
Anne Darrow, MD. Associate Chair of Outreach & Engagement, Assistant Professor of Clinical Medicine and Breast Radiologist at UC Davis (Sacramento, Calif.): UC Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center is at the forefront of breast cancer care, harnessing leading-edge technologies to improve early detection and treatment outcomes. Through initiatives like the MobileMammo+ clinic on wheels and participation in a national AI study, we’re expanding access and enhancing accuracy in mammography. Our team utilizes a multidisciplinary approach to provide excellent individualized care and advance health equity research. By combining compassionate care with innovation, we’re empowering patients and transforming how breast cancer is screened, diagnosed, and treated — especially in underserved communities.
Elise Desperito, MD. Director of Breast Imaging at the Ralph Lauren Cancer Center at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (New York City): Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center was one of the first to utilize contrast enhanced mammography in clinical practice, a functional imaging study performed by using intravenously administered iodinated contrast and digital mammography equipment.
Although mammography remains the primary method of breast cancer detection and has been shown to reduce breast cancer related mortality, the sensitivity of mammography has been shown to be only 60% in women with extremely dense breast tissue. Therefore, supplemental screening with bilateral breast ultrasound is often recommended and has been shown to increase cancer detection by two to four cancers per 1,000 studies.
Contrast enhanced mammography offers a more sensitive alternative imaging modality with substantially improved detection. CEM was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in 2011; however, securing consistent insurance coverage for it has been a long process and is ongoing. Although bilateral breast MRI is considered the most sensitive imaging modality for cancer detection, most insurances will only cover the cost if the woman is considered high risk for breast cancer. Studies have shown that MRI has slightly higher sensitivity than CEM (97% versus 91%) but lower specificity (69% vs 74%). Therefore, CEM is a very promising breast imaging modality for the 50% of women who have dense breast tissue, offering improved sensitivity for the detection of breast cancer.
Laura Esserman, MD. Director of the UCSF Breast Care Center and Co-Leader of the Breast Oncology Program at the UCSF Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center (San Francisco): At UCSF, we’re transforming breast cancer screening and prevention by harnessing the power of technology to evaluate the risk of breast cancer, for each woman, to make our recommendations for screening and risk reduction more precise. Through the groundbreaking Wisdom study, launched in 2016, we’re moving beyond the traditional “one-size-fits-all” approach to screening by using data-driven risk models that combine genetic, clinical, and imaging information to tailor screening schedules and prevention strategies based on each woman’s unique risk profile.
Now entering its next phase, Wisdom is integrating tools that can further improve our ability, not just to predict cancer risk, but what type. These tools include artificial intelligence models for analyzing mammograms, and more sophisticated models of genes we inherit. The goal is to continue to make improvements so we can better predict, screen and prevent fast growing tumors, like triple negative cancers. We can also assign better models for predicted risk based on each person’s ancestry. This allows us to match the right screening strategy to the right person at the right time. Women at higher risk for aggressive cancers will be advised to receive earlier and more frequent screening with appropriately sensitive imaging tools. For someone at risk for hormone dependent, slower-growing tumors, we can offer targeted prevention through endocrine risk reducing therapy. And importantly, we can introduce lifestyle changes to reduce risk.
By combining data from mammographic AI, polygenic risk scores and family history, we’re redefining what precision screening looks like — not more screening or the same screening for everyone, but smarter screening. The goal is simple but transformative: detect early the cancers that matter most, target prevention, reduce unnecessary testing and anxiety, and deliver higher-value, more compassionate care for every woman.
Oluwadamilola “Lola” Fayanju, MD. The Helen O. Dickens Presidential Associate Professor in the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania and Chief of the Breast Surgery Division at Penn Medicine’s Abramson Cancer Center (Philadelphia): At the University of Pennsylvania, we are expediting access to breast cancer care by integrating technological advancements and the power of people.
Through telehealth, we are connecting patients with new diagnoses of breast cancer to specialized oncology clinicians within two days and sometimes within less than one day. With the power of AI, we are reimagining how we process medical records including mammograms and other breast studies to help us help patients seeking second opinions after their breast cancer diagnosis. By integrating real-time data analytics into the way we get patients ready for their first appointment with their surgeon and medical oncologist, doctors know almost everything about the patient when they actually meet them, so that together, they can get right down to the important business of deciding on treatment, rather than just getting to know each other. All of these advancements together make up our new OnePenn Breast Oncology program, launched in August 2025, and are changing the way we deliver breast cancer care at Penn Medicine.
Sarah Harvey, MD. Associate Professor of Clinical Radiology and Radiological Sciences at Vanderbilt University Medical Center (Nashville, Tenn.): Vanderbilt University Medical Center is at the forefront of integrating emerging technologies into breast cancer screening and care. The institution is utilizing AI to enhance mammogram interpretations, flagging areas of concern that may indicate cancer presence. Risk models are also employed to assess and communicate individual women’s risk percentages for developing breast cancer which is provided for them on their screening mammograms. This empowers patients to make informed decisions regarding additional screening studies they would benefit from or appointments with high-risk breast clinics. Furthermore, Vanderbilt has introduced remote diagnostic mammography, ensuring that trained breast radiologists can analyze mammograms in community settings, thereby expanding access to specialized care.
Frederick Howard, MD. Medical Oncologist and Assistant Professor of Medicine at University of Chicago Medicine: At the University of Chicago Medicine, we are integrating artificial intelligence into many aspects of breast cancer care, from mature technologies already in clinical use to cutting-edge approaches currently under translational development. Language models have already entered into clinical practice, including ambient AI models to support clinical documentation, as well as a HIPAA-compliant language model that can be used to support clinical care. Our research group and others have shown that AI language models can help address complex diagnostic challenges in oncology and assist with common breast cancer triage questions. We are actively evaluating the safety and effectiveness of using these tools in practice.
Looking ahead, I’m particularly excited about emerging AI technologies in digital pathology, which can accurately predict breast cancer biomarkers, response to specific therapies and recurrence risk. We are in the process of prospectively evaluating a breast cancer pathology risk model at UChicago Medicine. I believe that in the near future, these tools will play a critical role in personalizing treatment for our patients.
Carrie Hruska, PhD. Medical Physicist at Mayo Clinic (Rochester, Minn.): We’ve learned that in areas of dense breast tissue, breast cancers can hide from detection on a mammogram until they reach an advanced size. Our research on molecular breast imaging focuses on detecting the most lethal cancers, which can include invasive tumors that grow quickly. If these are detected earlier, we likely can save more lives. Molecular breast imaging is a fairly simple, low cost and safe option for women who have dense breasts and are seeking a supplemental screening test.
Megan Kalambo, MD. Clinical Medical Director of Breast Imaging and Professor of Breast Imaging at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center (Houston): At The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, we are integrating emerging technologies to enhance early detection and deliver more personalized breast cancer screening. We’ve implemented AI tools as second readers in imaging to support radiologists in identifying subtle findings, improving diagnostic accuracy, and increasing consistency across our high screening volumes. Additionally, we are applying risk stratification models to better identify women at elevated risk and tailor screening recommendations accordingly.
To further improve access and convenience, MD Anderson launched an online self-scheduling platform for screening mammography. We have also developed a customized analytics platform within our electronic medical record, providing a unified workflow with integrated patient tracking across all breast imaging studies. This helps ensure timely care, follow-up and improved turnaround times. Together, these innovations strengthen communication, support continuous quality improvement, and reinforce oversight across our regional breast imaging network, ultimately driving better outcomes for the patients we serve.
Most impactfully, we have expanded the use of contrast-enhanced mammography, which is now available at all of our sites, as a more accessible alternative to MRI for select patients. CEM offers high-quality functional imaging that enhances diagnostic precision while improving access and the overall patient experience.
These advancements are collectively transforming the way we deliver breast cancer screening and diagnosis — making care more proactive, precise and data-driven across every community we serve.
Janice Lyons, MD. Director of Breast Cancer Services, Radiation Oncology at University Hospitals Seidman Cancer Center (Cleveland): In breast cancer radiation, we are passionate about providing care that is tailored to the individual patient. To that end we have multiple clinical trials open looking at both de-escalation of therapy and escalation of therapy when appropriate. For patients with early-stage node negative, hormonally responsive breast cancers that additionally have favorable genomic profiles, we are actively enrolling patients in a clinical trial looking at omission of radiation. For patients who experience an in-breast recurrence or new primary breast cancer who have previously undergone breast conserving therapy which included radiation, we are investigating new more convenient radiation schedules to allow patients the option of repeat breast conservation. For patients with more advanced hormonally responsive breast cancer we are investigating the safety of concurrent systemic therapy with radiation with the hope that this approach may decrease local and distant recurrence.
Holly Marshall, MD. Division Chief of Breast Imaging at University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center: Recently, contrast enhanced mammography was implemented at University Hospitals. CEM is an emerging technique that uses iodinated contrast for the visualization of breast neovascularity, similar to MRI. CEM has the advantage of showing both morphologic, as well as physiologic information. CEM can be used as a supplemental screening exam, as well as assessing treatment response and extent of disease in newly diagnosed breast cancer patients.
Alberto Montero, MD. Clinical Director of the Breast Cancer Medical Oncology Program University Hospitals Seidman Cancer Center (Cleveland): In medical oncology, we now routinely use circulating tumor DNA testing in patients with stage 4 metastatic breast cancer to identify targetable tumor level mutations, including ESR1 and PIK3CA, for which FDA-approved therapies are available. This approach is particularly valuable for detecting emerging ESR1 mutations — a key resistance mechanism to anti-estrogen therapy. High-quality clinical trial evidence supports changing treatment when these mutations appear, even before imaging shows disease progression.
We also utilize advanced imaging techniques, including estradiol PET scans, which prove especially helpful when tumor biopsies are not feasible. While estradiol PET has limitations in liver imaging, it excels at visualizing disease in bone, lung and lymph nodes, enabling us to confirm estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer in patients where tissue sampling isn’t possible.
Jocelyn Park, MD. Division Chief of Breast Imaging for the Northwell Health Imaging Service Line (New Hyde Park, N.Y.): At our breast imaging division, we are leveraging emerging technologies to make breast cancer screening more accurate, efficient and patient centered. AI tools support radiologists by helping focus attention on areas of a mammogram that are potentially abnormal. Innovative software platforms have been incorporated into our workflows to enhance image quality assessment and provide quantitative breast density information that directly feeds into the calculation of risk scores for developing breast cancer.
Equally important is how we communicate results. Through patient-friendly reporting, traditional radiology reports are transformed into an interactive easy-to-understand format that empowers patients to actively participate in their care.
Together, these technologies represent the convergence of diagnostic excellence and patient experience.
Stephen Seiler, MD. Breast Imaging Division Chief and Associate Professor of Radiology at UT Southwestern Medical Center, Medical Director of Breast Imaging for UT Southwestern University Hospitals and Clinics (Dallas): At UT Southwestern, we are integrating AI and advanced analytics to enhance the accuracy and efficiency of breast cancer screening. Our breast imaging program employs AI tools that assist with lesion detection and generate a mammographic risk score for each study. These scores are incorporated directly into our reading worklist, enabling radiologists to sort and prioritize cases by relative risk. This workflow innovation supports timely interpretation of higher-risk examinations while maintaining a human-in-the-loop approach that preserves clinical judgment.
Beyond screening, we are expanding the use of data-driven methods to inform precision screening strategies and individualized risk models. The combination of AI-driven insights and radiologist expertise is proving transformative-improving efficiency, optimizing patient care and laying the foundation for personalized breast imaging.
Rebecca Shulman, MD. Assistant Professor of Radiation Oncology at Fox Chase Cancer Center (Philadelphia): At Fox Chase Cancer Center, we are using adaptive radiation therapy for accelerated partial breast irradiation in early-stage breast cancer as it represents an innovative approach to personalize and optimize radiation delivery.
Unlike conventional radiotherapy, adaptive radiation therapy uses advanced imaging and computational algorithms to re-plan and adapt treatment plans in real-time, accounting for daily anatomical changes such as tissue swelling, patient positioning or tumor bed variations. This precision is particularly valuable for accelerated partial breast irradiation, which targets only the tumor bed and a small margin in the breast, delivering higher doses over fewer sessions (typically five) compared to whole-breast irradiation.
The novelty of adaptive radiation therapy lies in its ability to dynamically adjust radiation fields based on daily imaging, ensuring accurate targeting of the tumor bed while minimizing exposure to surrounding healthy tissues. For early-stage breast cancer, this is critical for sparing organs like the heart and lungs. Studies suggest adaptive radiation therapy can reduce normal tissue doses by 10% to 20% compared to standard plans, enhancing safety and potentially improving cosmetic outcomes. This technology marks a shift toward personalized precision radiotherapy for patients with early-stage breast cancer.
Sarah Tevis, MD. Co-Director Diane O’Connor Thompson Breast Center and Section Chief Breast Surgical Oncology at the University of Colorado Cancer Center (Aurora): My team is actively exploring how emerging technologies can enhance breast cancer care by improving patient comprehension and engagement. We know that patients often receive diagnostic results before their clinical team has time to review and reach out. While we always encourage patients to talk with their providers, the reality is that many will seek answers from the internet and AI. My team is working on projects that guide patients to vetted information and assess the quality of AI-generated content they may encounter.
One project evaluates MedEd, a new browser extension created by my team, that uses word recognition in real-time to identify key words and complex terms used in breast radiology and pathology reports, provide clinician-vetted definitions, and guide users to other online resources. In our feasibility study, patients responded positively to the installation and use of the tool. The next phase of testing, led by myself and Dr. Jakob Durden, will assess whether MedEd impacts patient comprehension and comfort level when reviewing their own reports.
Another project, led by Samhita Bheemireddy, evaluates the use of ChatGPT to simplify breast pathology reports. Published in the Annals of Surgical Oncology, Bheemireddy first set out to determine how effectively ChatGPT generated simplified summaries of real, deidentified pathology reports, assessing the readability and accuracy of the output generated by different prompts. She is now working on a small, randomized control trial to assess participants’ perceived and actual comprehension of a ChatGPT-generated simplified report compared to the original.
Kari Wisinski, MD. Deputy Director and Medical Oncologist; Lee Wilke, MD. Senior Medical Director of Clinical Cancer Services and Surgical Oncologist; Meeghan Lautner, MD. Surgical Oncologist; and Mai Elezaby, MD. Radiologist at UW Health and the UW Carbone Cancer Center (Madison, Wis.): In the past two years, UW Health | Carbone Cancer Center has incorporated several innovations. Carbone Cancer Center implemented an evaluation program at the point of a patient’s diagnostic mammograms and ultrasounds, which has identified more than 700 individuals who will benefit from supplemental high-risk MRI screening and/or genetic testing.
The UW Health Breast Center is also participating in the Prism trial evaluating the use of AI for augmented cancer detection, as well as multiple clinical trials evaluating novel approaches to neoadjuvant systemic therapy in patients with HER2-positive or triple-negative breast cancer. Another unique trial is utilizing a novel fluorofuranylnorprogesterone, PET/MRI to determine if this imaging approach can rapidly identify those patients who will respond to neoadjuvant endocrine therapy in postmenopausal women.
After injection of contrast, a dual-energy mammogram is acquired after two minutes. One image is similar to a regular mammogram. The other image highlights contrast uptake. Multiple studies have shown improved sensitivity and specificity in detecting breast cancer, with the addition of contrast enhanced mammography.
Stefanie Woodard, DO. Section Chief of Breast Imaging and Intervention at the University of Alabama at Birmingham O’Neal Cancer Center: The University of Alabama at Birmingham O’Neal Cancer Center is strategically adding advanced imaging technologies to improve the accuracy and accessibility of breast cancer screening.
Recent expansion of contrast-enhanced mammography has increased access to this accurate diagnostic modality, particularly for patients with dense breast tissue. In 2025, UAB further advanced its imaging capabilities with the addition of a GE Artist MRI magnet with new diagnostic and interventional breast equipment at The Kirklin Clinic, our flagship site. This provides increased availability of breast MRI, the most sensitive modality for breast cancer detection. UAB has also implemented ultrafast breast MRI, an innovative technique available at only a limited number of centers nationwide. Ultrafast breast MRI has the potential to advance tumor detection and characterization while reducing scan times, resulting in greater patient comfort and broader access. Together, these initiatives demonstrate UAB’s commitment to advancing breast cancer care through earlier detection and improved access to advanced imaging.
At the forefront of breast cancer innovation, the University of Alabama at Birmingham participates in cutting-edge research and new medical therapies to expand treatment options for patients. UAB now joins a small but growing group of select centers throughout the nation to offer breast cryoablation, a newly FDA-approved, minimally invasive treatment for select early-stage, low-risk breast cancers. While cryoablation represents a promising new option, surgery remains the gold standard of care, supported by decades of proven safety and effectiveness. Treatment decisions will continue to be guided by tumor characteristics, cancer stage, and individual patient factors, as insurance coverage for cryoablation is still evolving. UAB’s multidisciplinary breast care team, including specialists in surgical oncology, medical oncology, radiation oncology, breast radiology, and pathology, carefully reviews each patient’s diagnosis and treatment options to ensure a personalized and evidence-based approach.
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