WashU AI breast cancer risk detection software scores major FDA designation

Breast cancer may become easier to detect before it even develops with the help of new AI-based software created in St. Louis.

Prognosia Breast, which was developed by a team of Washington University School of Medicine researchers, analyzes mammograms to determine a person’s risk of developing breast cancer within five years.

The technology recently cleared a major hurdle earning a breakthrough device designation from the Food and Drug Administration. Joy Jiang, a codeveloper of the software and an associate professor of surgery at the university, said the designation means it is a step closer to full market approval.

“[This] is a huge step forward,” Jiang said. “It’s being recognized that breast cancer is a huge burden and early detection and prevention is very important right now.”

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