AI & Technology in Breast Cancer Detection: Transforming Women's Health

Nearly 2.3 million new breast cancer cases were reported by WHO in 2022, while in India, the ICMR and NCRP reports show that breast cancer accounts for about 27–32% of all cancers among women.

October marks Breast Cancer Awareness Month, a global movement dedicated to promoting early detection, awareness, and support for individuals affected by the disease.

The Pink Month is not just about raising awareness, but also a heartfelt reminder of many women who are either battling or have battled with this disease.

It is one of the most aggressive forms of cancer among women worldwide and probably one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths.

Nearly 2.3 million new cases of breast cancer were reported worldwide, as revealed by the WHO report of 2022.

Even in India, as per the latest data from the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and National Cancer Registry Programme (NCRP), breast cancer accounts for around 27–32% of all cancers among Indian women.

According to the report, in 2020, the total number of cancer cases in the country stood at 13.9 lakh. In the same year, there were more than 2.0 lakhs deaths due to breast cancer, which accounts for 14.7% of total cancer deaths.

Moreover, the ICMR report further reveals a shocking fact stating breast cancer accounts for nearly one in four female cancers, representing about 27–32% of all female cancer cases, and claims one life for every 2 diagnoses.

In such a crucial scenario, the only light of hope becomes modern technology, which is today’s era is not just a trend but has become a need of the time.

Modern tools and technologies can help doctors in detecting cancers early, providing care to patients, and offering many other benefits. In this article, let’s dive deep into how AI and other technological tools facilitate early detection and care.

What Early Diagnosis Means

Breast Cancer Screening undoubtedly has a positive impact on the final outcome of the disease and increases the probability of survival.

As per reports by the American Cancer Society, if timely detection is done, the five-year survival rate increases to 90%. For instance, Mammograms can spot breast cancers up to three years before anyone can feel a lump. This can help patients and doctors navigate treatment procedures.

Speaking on the evolution of breast cancer treatment and the significance of early diagnosis, Dr. Nisha Hariharan, Senior Consultant, Breast Oncosurgeon, Basavatarakam Indo American Cancer Hospital & Research Institute, Hyderabad, said, “Early detection remains the single most important factor influencing survival. Ensuring awareness, access, and screening is therefore crucial to sustain the gains modern medicine has made against breast cancer. Recent breakthroughs, including targeted therapies, immunotherapy, and CDK 4/6 inhibitors, have revolutionized outcomes for advanced and high-risk disease. These innovations have turned breast cancer into a model of precision medicine and multidisciplinary care.”

The government in India is taking numerous initiatives to facilitate early diagnosis. The SwasthNariSashaktParivar Abhiyaan has achieved a historic milestone by screening 6.50 Cr women, out of which more than 37 lakh women were screened for breast cancer through nearly 18 lakh health camps organized across the country.

Late Diagnosis: A Major Barrier

India’s breast cancer survival rates remain considerably low, largely because of delays in diagnosis and treatment initiation. Patients diagnosed at stage I have a survival rate of around 93.3%, but this figure drops drastically to about 24.5% for those diagnosed at stage IV.

Worryingly, nearly 60% of Indian breast cancer cases are detected only in the advanced stages (III or IV), when treatment choices are fewer and outcomes are poorer. This trend is primarily linked to limited awareness, social stigma, and persistent misconceptions surrounding breast cancer, which often discourage women from seeking timely screening or medical advice.

Reflecting his thoughts on this, Dr. Boman Dhabhar, Director of Oncology, Fortis Hospital, said, “We are seeing more women being diagnosed with breast cancer at a younger age, especially with aggressive subtypes like HER2+, and the overall incidence of breast cancer in India is steadily rising. This increase can be attributed to a combination of factors urbanisation, changing lifestyles, delayed childbirth, reduced breastfeeding, dietary patterns, and increased stress, alongside better awareness and improved detection. This explains the need for awareness about innovative treatment options. Targeted therapies that use a personalized approach have proven to be more efficient in treating HER2+ breast cancer than a generalized treatment regimen. Importantly, treatment goals have expanded beyond prolonging life to preserving dignity, comfort, and normalcy. Patients should be able to continue their routines, spend meaningful time with family, and live fully while undergoing therapy. Newer therapies can now be administered subcutaneously, through a simple injection under the skin, rather than long intravenous infusions. This saves hours spent in a cancer care ward, easing strain on patients, their caregivers, and the healthcare system at large. As clinicians, our responsibility is not only to treat the disease but to help patients reclaim their lives.”

The NFHS data for 2019-2021 highlights that only 0.9% of women aged between 30-49 have undergone breast cancer screening.

A large number of women are not aware of the signs and the significance of routine testing.

Another key reason for the delay of early diagnosis is that in India, limited access to screening, especially for rural women, who frequently face geographic inequities: screening services, including mammography, clinical breast examination, and diagnostic pathology, may be centralised in urban centres, making travel and time costs prohibitive.

Moreover, the cost and infrastructure constraints form a barrier for people to seek timely intervention. According to reports, 65.5 % of people still face financial challenges in seeking treatment and timely intervention.

AI Saving Lives

In recent years, Artificial Intelligence tools and digital health technologies have stepped in to bridge the gap between awareness and early detection, enabling faster, more accurate, and more accessible screening options and timely treatment. Not only does AI facilitate early detection, but it also minimizes the scope of false alarms and reduces the need for unnecessary invasive procedures, bringing precision and efficiency to the forefront of cancer care.

Explaining the growing role of technology in early detection, Dr Hariharan said, “Technology and artificial intelligence are now opening new frontiers in early detection. AI-powered mammography can identify subtle changes, allowing cancers to be detected earlier and with greater accuracy. Thermal imaging offers a low-cost, radiation-free alternative that can take screening all the way to the smallest villages. Risk-adapted screening tools can help identify women who are at greater risk, ensuring that resources are directed where they are needed most. Together, these innovations hold the promise of making early detection more inclusive, equitable, and effective. Integrating digital platforms, tele-radiology, and AI-triage can bridge the gaps and make early detection more inclusive and accessible.”

In regions with limited radiology infrastructure, AI-assisted ultrasound interpretation combined with remote radiology reviews is significantly reducing diagnostic delays, ensuring faster care decisions.

The role of AI in breast cancer awareness goes beyond early diagnosis; it is reshaping women’s health by fostering proactive care, informed decision-making, and equitable access to advanced diagnostics across geographies.

Echoing similar sentiments, Dr. Shivam Dixit, Medical Oncologist (Onco-Medicine), Sarswati Cancer Care, Kanpur, “Breast Cancer awareness is about empowering women through knowledge of self-assessment and dietary management, with prevention from risk factors. The integration of AI-assisted imaging and predictive models helps identify even the smallest changes in breast morphology, enabling doctors to diagnose faster and treat smarter. “

He further added, “This synergy of human expertise and intelligent technology is shaping a future where early detection means greater hope and better outcomes for every woman.”

Global Healthcare giants such as GE HealthCare have introduced the Invenia Automated Breast Ultrasound (ABUS) Premium, an AI-powered ultrasound system designed to improve breast cancer detection, particularly in dense breast tissue. The system automates the imaging process, improving accuracy and potentially reducing unnecessary biopsies.

Even India is not lagging in taking initiatives in providing timely intervention and care. The state government of India at numerous levels is taking steps in this regard; for instance, the West Bengal state health department has initiated a project to develop an AI-based screening protocol along with a mobile application. The project, undertaken in collaboration with the Institute of Post-Graduate Medical Education & Research (IPGMER), assists ASHA workers to identify those likely to have the disease by using simple symptom-based inputs, refer high-risk cases for further imaging, and monitor patient outcomes across hospital networks.

In fact, various institutions such as NIT Rourkela have developed tools and technologies to detect breast cancer. The Researchers at the National Institute of Technology (NIT) Rourkela have developed a biosensor to identify breast cancer cells without adding chemicals or complex laboratory infrastructure. The biosensor does not require added reagents or labelling agents, making it a cost-effective solution compared to conventional diagnostics.

Moreover, leading Medtech Companies such as BPL are also working on the forefront in this regard. Recently, the company has come up with new medical equipment named LILAC, the mammography system created by Panacea Medical Technologies and marketed by BPL Medical Technologies. LILAC is compact, updated, and designed with the comfort of a woman in mind, as opposed to the more traditional machines, which tend to be cold and uncomfortable. It has an ergonomic layout that allows it to be naturally positioned, and the soft compressions and rapid scanning make women feel at ease during the screening.

From a tech point of view, LILAC provides quality digital images at lower levels of radiation dose, which provides doctors with the precision required, as well as provides women with the care they deserve. And having the freedom to be used in community clinics or in mobile vans, LILAC brings breast health to the women.

Commenting on the same, Dr. Shravan Subramanyam, Managing Director of BPL Medical Technologies, shared, “At BPL Medical Technologies, we believe that women should never have to choose between comfort and care. LILAC was created to transform mammography from a stressful appointment into a supportive experience. By making screenings more comfortable, accurate, and widely available, we hope to empower women to prioritise their health without hesitation. Beyond the pink ribbon, what truly matters is action, and LILAC helps turn awareness into life-saving early detection.”

Wrapping Up

Breast Cancer continues to be a pressing concern for global health, and in India, the challenge is compounded by late-stage detection, limited screening coverage, and disparities in access to quality care.

However, by combining technologies and tools, timely access can be provided to those who are deprived of treatment, care, and early diagnosis.

This breast cancer month reminds us how technological advancement can not only raise awareness but also become a support for those who are battling the disease. Awareness, early screening, and timely treatment must move hand in hand. The convergence of AI innovation, policy support, and public participation can transform India’s fight against breast cancer from one of late-stage struggle to one of early, empowered, and equitable care.

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