According to the American Cancer Society, one in eight women will develop breast cancer at some point in her life. An even bigger risk is
The AI technology offered by CureMetrix allows radiologists at SMI, a network of over 150 facilities across 10 states, to see detailed analysis of both full-field digital mammography and digital breast tomosynthesis screening mammograms, as well as any detection of breast arterial calcifications — a potential signal of cardiovascular disease, according to the American Heart Association.
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The result is access to imaging that is more accessible, more thorough, and more educational for patients.
"Women's health is one area where there is tremendous potential to deliver a greater level of insights to patients," says Dr. Sean Raj, chief innovation officer at SMI. "Now, instead of just [hearing] from your provider, 'You had a negative mammogram,' we can provide tremendous insights, combining our technology [and] our top of the line, fellowship-trained breast radiologists."
Following an exam and analysis, the specialists at SMI can discuss any follow-up questions with patients, such as lifestyle modification, genetic testing, the need for a supplemental ultrasound or a breast MRI — all of which add to a woman's insight, and therefore her ability, to be a greater custodian of her own health, Dr. Raj says.
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Getting women more engaged in their health journey could not come at a more critical time: The incidents of both breast cancer and heart disease are being seen at increasingly earlier ages. The number of heart attacks in younger women is going up, according to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, and The American Cancer Society reports that half of the women diagnosed with breast cancer are 62 or younger. Equally troubling is that the CDC has found that one quarter of women aged 50-74 are behind on their annual breast cancer screenings.
Offering access to healthcare benefits that include comprehensive preventative care like breast and heart-health screenings is a great opportunity for employers to help reverse this trend. Not only can this lead to a reduction in healthcare costs and increase employees' quality of life, it can also ward off loss of productivity due to ill health.
"We're all stressed out, we're all busy with our lives, and health usually falls on the back burner," Dr. Raj says. "While it is still important to go to the cardiologist, if you have the ability, you're going to come in for a 15-minute mammogram anyways. [Now,] you can [also] be screened for your heart health. That is a tremendous value add to the patient experience."
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Dr. Raj urges employers to make providing benefits like this, and communicating their support of women's health, a priority. Campaigns during associated awareness months, webinars, presentations and promotion among employee resource groups are just some ways to get the word out among a workforce.
"Preventative care is a small cost now, but the lifelong benefit and massive impact is multiple- fold," he says. "When we talk about proactive risk management, there is an opportunity here with our program that we can deliver these insights that very few places around the country can. We're providing comprehensive care for women, which will change their trajectories, [and] the ripple effect is just tremendous."
