Can that mammogram detect more than breast cancer? 

Researchers, many with the aid of artificial intelligence, are finding ways to leverage mammogram screenings for other early detection uses.

For example, cardiovascular disease remains a leading cause of morbidity and mortality among women, responsible for one in five women’s deaths in 2021 alone. One of the ongoing barriers to improving cardiovascular disease outcomes in women in the US is the lack of reliable and effective screening modalities.

But what if a regular screening procedure – mammography – could become a two-for-one special?

Breast Arterial Calcification is a buildup of calcium deposits in the arteries of the breast, which can be detected through mammography screenings of which there are about 40 million annually. While often considered a benign finding – or not remarked on at all, if noted – BAC can serve as an indicator of cardiovascular health in women under the age of 80. Those with BAC may be at an increased risk of heart attack, stroke or heart failure.

Some radiology clinics are now offering review of mammography images for this purpose, and while not a perfect predictor of cardiovascular risk, the mammogram BAC analysis offers a personalized, noninvasive approach to risk-stratifying women over the age of 40 for cardiovascular disease at minimal (or no) additional cost in an already ingrained preventive service. In one study, researchers trained AI to look for calcified arteries in thousands of mammogram images. Although the use of mammograms to assess heart health is not yet widely accepted, it is important to continue to monitor its adoption and be aware of how researchers may be finding other uses for mammogram imaging, such as checking for peripheral artery disease and kidney disease.