Radiology in public focus
Press releases were sent to the medical news media for the following articles appearing in recent issues of RSNA Journals.
Novel Technique Has Potential to Transform Breast Cancer Detection
A study published in Radiology: Imaging Cancer highlighted the efficacy of low-dose positron emission mammography (PEM) in breast cancer detection, showing high sensitivity and significantly lower false positive rates compared to MRI.
“The integration of these features—high sensitivity, lower false-positive rates, cost-efficiency, acceptable radiation levels without compression, and independence from breast density—positions this emerging imaging modality as a potential groundbreaking advancement in the early detection of breast cancer,” said study lead author Vivianne Freitas, MD, MSc, assistant professor at the University of Toronto.
Read the RSNA News story, “Novel Technique Has Potential to Transform Breast Cancer Detection.”
Annual Breast Cancer Screening Beginning at 40 Saves Lives
A study in Radiology suggests that annual breast cancer screening from age 40 to at least 79 yields the highest reduction in mortality with minimal risks. Debra L. Monticciolo and colleagues at Dartmouth Geisel School of Medicine in Hanover, NH, compared various screening scenarios and found that annual screening of women aged 40-79 had a mortality reduction of 41.7%, with lower rates of false-positive screens and unnecessary biopsies compared to other screening strategies.
“The risks of screening are non-lethal and manageable for most women,” Dr. Monticciolo said. “But advanced breast cancer is often lethal. Breast cancer is easier to treat if it’s found earlier; we’re able to spare women extra surgeries and chemotherapy. It’s just a better idea to shift to early detection, and that’s what screening does.”
Read the RSNA News story, “Annual Breast Cancer Screening at 40 Saves Lives.”
Researchers Look at Environmental Impacts of AI Tools
A focus article in Radiology emphasized the importance of considering the environmental impact of AI tools increasingly used in radiology. While AI can enhance efficiency and sustainability through optimized protocols and decision-support tools, its use requires substantial data storage, often in cloud systems with varying environmental footprints.
“Environmental costs should be considered along with financial costs in health care and medical imaging,” Kate Hanneman, MD, MPH, vice chair of research and associate professor at the University of Toronto and deputy lead of sustainability at the Joint Department of Medical Imaging, Toronto General Hospital. said. “I believe AI can help us improve sustainability if we apply the tools judiciously. We just need to be mindful and aware of its energy usage and GHG emissions.”
Read the RSNA News story, “Researchers Look at Environmental Impacts of AI Tools.”
RSNA News Media Coverage
In January, 2,038 RSNA-related news stories were tracked in the media. These stories had nearly 915 million audience impressions.
Coverage included Los Angeles Times, Chicago Sun-Times, Yahoo! News, MSN.com, Benzinga, Medpage Today, ScienceDaily, Medical News Today, WebMD, Applied Radiology, Auntminnie.com, Health Imaging News and Healthcare Business News.
January press releases included:
RSNA Launches New AI Certificate Course in Emergency Imaging
The RSNA Emergency Imaging AI Certificate course is designed to help radiology professionals build skills to leverage AI in emergency clinical settings to improve efficiency and patient outcomes.
RSNA Publishes Joint Statement on Use of AI Tools in Radiology
RSNA and four other radiology societies from around the world have issued a joint statement on the development and use of AI intelligence tools in radiology. The statement was published in RSNA’s journal, Radiology: Artificial Intelligence.
May Public Information Outreach Activities Focus on Stroke Awareness
In recognition of American Stroke Month in May, RSNA is distributing public service announcements (PSAs) focusing on stroke imaging, interventional treatments for stroke, and the importance of immediate emergency help when the signs of stroke occur.
Additionally, refer your patients to RadiologyInfo.org, the public information website produced by RSNA and ACR, for easy-to-read patient information about stroke imaging, interventional treatments for stroke, and the importance of immediate emergency help when the signs of stroke occur.