Can AI reduce the harms and cost of Australia’s breast cancer screening program?

Genetic epidemiologist Professor John Hopper says a more targeted and cost-effective approach is not far off
Professor John Hopper.

There is a debate raging within the medical community which has yet to reach the wider public about the costs and benefits of Australia’s national breast screening program.

Three years ago, researchers from the ­Cancer Council NSW estimated it was costing up to $65,000 for each life-year it was saving, trigger­ing calls for more to be done to risk-stratify women and reduce overdiagnosis.