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Cancer Screening Rates Vary, AI Evidence Lacking, and CT Overscanning
October 20, 2025
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Together with
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“Few studies connect AI to what matters most for patients, namely their health outcomes, and to the economic impact for patients and healthcare providers … over multi-year horizons.”
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Gu Z et al, in a JACR article on evidence backing AI’s impact on radiology workflows.
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Progress has been made in some U.S. regions in boosting adherence rates for cancer screening exams like mammography, but clusters of regional variation remain. That’s according to a new study in JAMA Network Open that offers hope for reducing access disparities in disadvantaged areas.
Disparities in healthcare access remain one of the nagging problems in the U.S. healthcare system.
- Previous studies have shown that racial background, socioeconomic status, and geographic location can all affect access to care, and ultimately, patient outcomes.
Nowhere is this more apparent than in cancer screening, where getting patients in for their exams has always been a challenge.
- Screening compliance rates (as of 2021) were approximately 76% for breast cancer, 75% for cervical cancer, and 72% for colorectal cancer.
But how does geography affect screening rates, and has progress been made over time?
- To answer these questions, researchers analyzed geographic variations in rates for the three major cancer screening tests (breast, cervical, and colorectal) over a 22-year period.
Screening data were analyzed at the county level from 1997 to 2019, with screening prevalence estimated over 3-5-year periods. For mammography screening, authors found…
- Screening rates were highest in the Northeast (Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, and Massachusetts).
- Rates were lowest in the Southwest (Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona).
- Geographic areas that shifted from low to high uptake had lower socioeconomic status and more non-White residents, suggesting the success of efforts to improve screening in disadvantaged areas.
- Counties that did not improve had lower socioeconomic status than counties that maintained high screening rates.
- Rural areas had persistently low screening rates, reflecting lack of access to facilities as well as transportation.
The Takeaway
The new study on geographic variation in cancer screening rates offers encouraging news that – at least in some disadvantaged areas – improving screening uptake is possible. But more research is needed to find out why some areas fail to see improvement.
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AI Echo Detection of Cardiac Amyloidosis
AI echo software from Us2.ai identified cardiac amyloidosis using just a single apical four-chamber view in a global multi-ethnic population in research presented at ASE 2025. Learn how it can improve your practice on this page.
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A New Standard of AI-Powered Care
Visit DeepHealth at RSNA 2025 booth #1329 to learn how their integrated, cloud-native solutions can unify your imaging experience. Book a meeting today.
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Transform Imaging Data into Actionable Predictions
When you choose Quibim, you get more than a partner for detecting and diagnosing prostate cancer on MRI scans. Learn how they can help you transform imaging data into actionable predictions by booking a demo today.
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- Is Evidence Lacking for AI’s Value? Despite a steady flow of studies on the technical performance of AI algorithms, a new review article in JACR claims there’s little long-term evidence showing the technology matters to patients. AI studies typically only review performance at a single site and cover short-term operational metrics, like scan duration and report turnaround time, and few connect AI to changes in health outcomes or health system costs. Authors recommend prospective evaluations investigating metrics like length of stay, morbidity/mortality, and time to treatment.
- MRI Reveals Football’s Brain Impact: Brain MRI scans showed college football players in “speed” positions (quarterback, wide receiver, linebacker) had lower brain function after a season versus non-speed players. In a paper in NeuroImage: Reports, researchers used DTI-MRI to scan 66 players before and after the season, with speed-position players showing impaired function of the glymphatic system, which clears neural waste from the brain. The effects occurred even without any clinical concussion events, showing that DTI-MRI can detect early subclinical brain dysfunction.
- U.K. Breaks Ground on 11.7T MRI: A project to build a massively powerful 11.7T MRI scanner in the U.K. broke ground this month at the University of Nottingham. The system is being installed at the university’s Sir Peter Mansfield Imaging Centre and would be the most powerful MRI scanner in the U.K., matching an 11.7T scanner in use in France. Researchers and clinicians will use the scanner to study brain function and mechanisms of disease.
- MRI Links Hidden Fat to Thicker Carotids: Another study is linking visceral fat (hidden fat around organs in the abdomen and liver) to arterial damage. In a study of over 33k people in Nature Communications Medicine, researchers used MRI to measure visceral and hepatic fat, finding that both were linked to carotid atherosclerosis – even after controlling for risk factors like cholesterol and blood pressure. MRI measurements could be added to traditional factors like BMI and waist circumference for assessing cardiovascular risk.
- Hyperfine Launches Public Offering: Portable MRI developer Hyperfine launched a public offering last week to raise $17.5M in gross proceeds, but the announcement sent its stock reeling as the $1.25 offer price was a big discount from its trading price at the time. Separately, Hyperfine released preliminary third-quarter financial results in which revenue fell 7% compared to the same quarter last year, but the company touted growing sales of its next-generation Swoop scanner. Hyperfine also launched the PULSE subscription program for research sequences.
- CT Overscanning in Kids: A new study in European Journal of Radiology found that CT overscanning – or scanning more of a body area than necessary – is common in pediatric head exams. Researchers from Iran found that for 102 pediatric head CT studies at three hospitals, overscanning occurred in 78% of cases, exclusively in the caudal direction. Overscanning delivers more radiation than necessary, a major concern in children – researchers estimated an 824% higher cancer risk for kids aged 5-10 years for some types of scans.
- Reporting Firms Unite as Jacobian: German structured reporting software developer Smart Reporting acquired Fluency for Imaging, with the combined company now known as Jacobian. The two companies had been collaborating for the past two years, and the combined entity will focus on developing AI-powered reporting and workflow software, especially by integrating generative AI. Corporate headquarters will be maintained in Munich and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
- Medmo Raises $15M: Medmo raised $15M in a Series A round, demonstrating continued investor interest in patient referral orchestration firms (OneImaging announced a $38M round last week). Medmo works with providers to streamline radiology referrals and has managed over 1M referrals to date. The company said it will use the funds to expand into value-based care workflows and develop additional offerings to insurance companies focusing on quality and gaps in care.
- Google Cloud Partners with Color Health: Improving access to breast screening using agentic AI is the goal of a partnership between Google Cloud and Color Health. The companies are collaborating to use Color’s Virtual Cancer Clinic to launch an AI assistant that scans patient records to determine mammogram eligibility, schedule appointments, and coordinate follow-up for eligible candidates. The partnership runs through the end of the year.
- Vara Gets CE Mark for Independent AI: German AI developer Vara received the CE Mark for a new version of its mammography AI software that’s able to operate as an independent second reader for screening and diagnostic mammograms. Vara is widely used in Germany as part of the country’s national breast screening program. The company raised $9M last year to fund expansion into new European markets, a move made possible by the CE Mark certification.
- ACR Adds QA Vendors to Mammo Program: The ACR has designated technology from several quality assurance software developers for its ACR Learning Network ImPower mammography positioning improvement program. Volpara Health’s Volpara Analytics software can provide data tracking of positioning, compression, and overall image quality. Densitas also qualified for the program, and the company is highlighting data showing that when used at Mount Sinai Health System it reduced the inter-technologist variability range by 25% and improved mammography positioning by 33%.
- QView Signs Wellness Provider: Ultrasound AI developer QView Medical signed an agreement to provide its AI platform to wellness provider Eve Wellness for that company’s direct-to-consumer breast cancer screening business. Eve’s centers use GE HealthCare’s automated breast ultrasound technology, and adding QView’s AI solution will complement physician interpretation of ABUS scans.
- PwC Future of Health: PwC expects U.S. healthcare spending to top $8.6T by 2035, with up to $1T of that shifting from traditional brick-and-mortar models to digital-first strategies. The full Future of Health report is worth taking the time to check out, but the gist is that the medical cost trend remains elevated at around 8%, and unless AI-driven breakthroughs lead to more proactive care, we’re definitely not set up to successfully care for an aging population.
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The Future of Fluoroscopy Is Here
The future of fluoroscopy has arrived. The LUMINOS Q.namix fluoroscopy systems from Siemens Healthineers are available on the U.S. market. Discover why they have already earned the prestigious Red Dot Design Award for intuitive design and user-centric innovation.
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- Discover What’s Next in Radiology at RSNA 2025: Join Philips at RSNA 2025 in booth #6730 to see revolutionary new innovations in MRI, CT, and informatics. Don’t miss your chance to witness breakthroughs that will redefine what’s possible at 10:30 am on Sunday November 30.
- Gain Clarity in MRI at Speed: Discover how STAGE from SpinTech MRI gives you better gray-white matter contrast in MRI and more efficient reads, with up to 30% faster scans on all 1.5T and 3T magnets.
- Building the Future of Radiology: Visit Medality at RSNA 2025 booth #1140 to learn how they are at the forefront of radiology practice growth and training as the simulated learning platform that everyone loves. Book a demo today.
- Radiology Case Report: A man in his 50s presented with syncope with minor head trauma and unassociated risk factors. Find out how MRI helped provide a diagnosis in this case study.
- Optimize Radiology Workflows: Harness cloud and AI technology to help your radiology teams unlock insights, increase efficiencies, and improve patient care. Learn more about an integrated approach to AI in radiology in this e-book from Microsoft.
- Every Image Tells a Story at RSNA 2025: Visit Intelerad at RSNA 2025 booth #6113 to learn how their solutions are empowering radiologists and patients while transforming radiology workflows. Schedule a meeting today.
- Innovation for the Imaging Workflow You Deserve: Radiologists are overwhelmed by complex systems and growing caseloads. Discover how innovative workflow orchestration from Merge integrates various PACS, RIS, and EMR systems into a single AI-driven workspace.
- Digital Radiography Designed for Freedom: United Imaging’s new uDR Aurora CX digital radiography system was designed to give you unprecedented freedom in imaging patients thanks to its new advances in computer vision, automation, and AI diagnostics.
- Reimagine Imaging Innovation: Experience a new era of diagnostic imaging in the AGFA HealthCare booth #2565 at RSNA 2025 in which every click, case, and connection is designed around how you work. Request an on-site demo today.
- Abdominal Ultrasound Worksheets and Reports in 45 Seconds: Visit Kailo Medical at booth #4555 at RSNA 2025 to discover augmented reporting that produces worksheets and reports in 45 seconds, improving accuracy, boosting efficiency, and delivering better outcomes for patients and providers alike.
- Reimagining Radiology with Apple Vision Pro: Discover how Apple Vision Pro is helping to pioneer what’s possible in radiology in this special event in Chicago during RSNA 2025. Hear from key opinion leaders and Visage Imaging executives on how spatial computing is transforming radiology.
- Experience the Power of Workflow Orchestration: Mach7’s UnityVue Workflow Orchestration Platform is a groundbreaking new solution that creates a unified view of patient imaging data, speeding patient care delivery, creating more efficient workflows, and reducing radiologist stress. Experience the power of UnityVue for yourself.
- What Healthcare Really Needs from AI: The AI hype cycle has flooded healthcare with promises, yet many tools fail to deliver real-world impact. Reserve your seat at this October 29 webinar hosted by Rad AI to hear healthcare leaders share their real-world experiences in making AI work.
- Opportunistic Detection of CAC and Pulmonary Nodules: Achieve a newfound certainty of search for thoracic CT when using ClearRead CT from Riverain Technologies. It’s a natural addition for opportunistic CAC scoring and nodule detection, or as part of a CT lung cancer screening program.
- Experience the Future of Radiology: Visit Enlitic at RSNA 2025 booth #7730 to experience the future of radiology and see how the company is revolutionizing radiology data migration with its Laitek acquisition. Schedule a meeting today.
- It’s Time to Make AI Adoption Simple: Visit Gleamer at RSNA 2025 booth #4936 to experience a milestone moment that will reshape AI’s role in medical imaging. Expect more than a sneak peak: Expect the future.
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