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Mammo Screening Deserts, Healthcare Gerrymandering, and LDCT Outreach
November 17, 2025
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Together with
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“Rather than focus efforts on compliance with guidelines in places where mammography is available and adherence is already high, it could benefit society to focus on infrastructure improvements in areas where compliance is currently difficult to achieve.”
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Friedson A et al, in a Milken Institute report on mammography access.
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Smart MRI providers know patient comfort is linked to profitability, impacting image quality, diagnostic accuracy, operational efficiency, and patient satisfaction. Learn more about how MRI technology from Fujifilm Healthcare Americas is helping imaging providers reduce patient distress and scan more comfortably – and profitability.
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What will United Imaging be highlighting at the upcoming RSNA 2025 conference? In this Imaging Wire Show, we spoke with United Imaging executives Edgar Alvarez, Lorin Gorton, Troy Lewein, and Wendy Winkle about the company’s introductions in interventional X-ray and radiography, CT, MRI, and molecular imaging.
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It’s no secret that there are sharp regional differences in healthcare access in the U.S. But a new report puts a price on the access problem as it pertains to mammography – nearly 10k additional cases of breast cancer a year due to limited access in “cancer screening deserts” that don’t have mammography equipment.
Mammography has been a success story among population-based cancer screening tests.
- The widespread implementation of breast screening in the 1980s is generally credited – along with improved treatments – with reducing breast cancer mortality by 44% from 1982 to 2022.
But breast cancer is still a lethal disease, killing 42k women a year in the U.S.
- And screening’s benefits have not been distributed equally, with women in rural areas and those with lower socioeconomic status having lower completion rates.
What would it take to even out the differences? To answer this question, researchers from the Milken Institute analyzed the U.S. mammography installed base at the county level.
- They then correlated machine distribution with county population as well as cancer detection rates to find out how efficiently different counties were performing.
They discovered…
- High regional variation in mammography machine distribution.
- The lowest distribution was in the Southwest and southern Midwest while the highest was in major urban areas, particularly on the coasts.
- 890 counties did not have mammography machines.
- Counties with the most mammography machines had 7.5% higher breast cancer incidence rates per 100k women compared to counties with no machines (329 vs. 306) – a sign they were detecting more cancers.
- There were 155 counties where mammography machine deployment would have the biggest return.
- And 9.6k breast cancer cases would be detected if counties with low or no mammography capacity detected breast cancer at the same rate as high-detection counties.
The new results track with another recent study that also revealed the presence of cancer screening deserts in the Southwest.
So what can be done? The Milken researchers proposed that low-resource counties be targeted for investment, but simply installing new machines won’t by itself cure the access problem.
- It’s also important to address barriers such as language, transportation, and cost-sharing in order to achieve equal access.
The Takeaway
The new report shows that mammography access isn’t just an abstract issue – it’s one that is claiming the lives of thousands of U.S. women a year. Fortunately, the Milken researchers have done much of the legwork in identifying the specific areas that deserve attention.
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Book a Demo with CARPL at RSNA 2025
CARPL helps healthcare providers realize the value of the entire AI ecosystem and drive financial, operational, and clinical ROI. Book a demo today or visit them at RSNA 2025 booth #5732.
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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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AI Handheld Echo for Preoperative Assessment
Read this overview of an ASE 2025 paper on the feasibility of handheld echo equipped with Us2.ai software for assessing left ventricular diastolic dysfunction in preoperative patients and how it compared to cart-based systems.
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- Gerrymandering Affects Healthcare Access: Gerrymandering has been a hot-button political topic in the U.S lately, but it may also have ramifications for healthcare access. A study in American Journal of Public Health found that people living in political districts in North Carolina that were highly gerrymandered (defined as communities split between two state senate districts) had to travel 30% farther to their nearest federally qualified health center, and were 20% less likely to visit centers.
- Patient Comfort a Top MRI Priority: MRI providers are learning that patient comfort is linked to better patient care – as well as profitability. Patient comfort can impact image quality, diagnostic accuracy, operational efficiency, and patient satisfaction, and when patients feel claustrophobic, MRI image quality can suffer. Read how Fujifilm Healthcare Americas offers a variety of technologies for more comfortable scanning, from shorter scan times to more open magnet designs with easier patient access, like their OASIS Velocity and APERTO Lucent systems.
- MRI Safety Role Created for Techs: With renewed attention on MRI safety following a fatal accident in New York, the American Board of Magnetic Resonance Safety created a new safety role for technologists, Magnetic Resonance Safety Tech. The role will assist other MRI safety personnel in overseeing safe scanning practices, especially in remote settings. ABMRS created an exam to certify MRST personnel, with the first exam occurring no later than February 2026.
- 7T MRI Shows Sleep Deprivation’s Impact: No one functions well after a poor night’s sleep, but 7T MRI may finally show why. In a new paper in Sleep Medicine, German researchers scanned 30 healthy people who bravely volunteered to stay awake for at least 24 hours straight. 7T MRI showed that sleep deprivation induced an 11% increase in total perivascular space volume, a marker of impaired function in the glymphatic system, which clears metabolic waste from the brain. Fortunately, the changes went away after a good night’s sleep.
- Patient Outreach Boosts LDCT Screening: A multi-pronged patient outreach program boosted low-dose CT lung cancer screening in a new study in JACR by California researchers. Seventy people eligible for screening got a combination of decision aids, text reminders, information on financial support, and alerts to primary care providers. After six months, 71% had discussed screening with their provider, 51% got screening referrals, and 27% completed screening – much higher than the national average of 16-18%, but additional outreach could boost the rate further.
- CTC Best Option for Black Adults: Broader use of CT colonography could help improve low colon cancer screening rates among Black adults. In a study in Cancer Medicine, Neiman HPI researchers conducted a modeling study of five different colon cancer screening strategies for different races and genders, with CTC the most effective strategy for Black adults. CTC also produced more QALYs gained and fewer colorectal cancer cases in Black adults but not White adults. Medicare began reimbursing for CTC in January 2025.
- Clairity Raises $43M for AI Risk Prediction: AI risk prediction software developer Clairity raised $43M in a Series B funding round. Clairity was founded by radiologist Connie Lehman, MD, PhD, and received FDA de novo authorization earlier this year for their Clairity Breast solution for calculating breast cancer risk from mammograms. The company will use the funding to support reimbursement initiatives and the software’s rollout to community imaging centers, as well as to expand their risk prediction technology to other major diseases.
- Philips’ CV Workspace Clearance: Philips received FDA 510(k) clearance for its cloud-hosted Cardiovascular Workspace with SaaS deployment on HealthSuite. The cloud-based solution enables health systems to accelerate AI adoption, automate analysis, documentation, and reporting while providing secure remote access to cardiovascular imaging and patient data. The platform integrates with Philips’ existing HealthSuite to deliver connected cardiovascular care with faster AI-enabled tools and workflow insights.
- Harrison.ai Expands into CT: Hot off its corporate rebranding last month, AI company Harrison.ai is expanding from its core market of chest X-ray AI into thoracic CT with the launch of CT Chest. The AI solution detects 167 features on CT scans that could indicate health problems, including critical findings like pulmonary embolism, acute aortic syndrome, pneumothorax, and acute rib fractures. It can also be used to support CT lung screening. CT Chest has the CE Mark.
- Augmedics Gets FDA for VR Glasses: Augmented reality company Augmedics received FDA 510(k) clearance for X2, its next-generation AR headset designed to be used with its xvision Spine System. X2 was specifically designed for surgical applications and features a new form factor to maximize user comfort, balance, and wearability in the operating room.
- Avicenna Releases AI Integration Platform: Avicenna.ai launched AVI, a new platform to make it easier to integrate AI algorithms into PACS and RIS networks. The company notes that AVI makes it possible for clinicians to use AI tools without additional viewers, worklists, or changes to their existing clinical workflow. AVI will initially provide access to Avicenna’s entire portfolio of CINA applications, but eventually will support algorithms from other AI developers.
- Inappropriate Oncology PET/CT Use: Nearly one-third of oncology PET/CT scans were inappropriate in a new study from China published in Clinical Imaging. Researchers looked at 900 PET/CT scans performed at their hospital in 2022, finding that 30% did not meet NCCN guidelines for appropriateness. Scans that were most likely to be unnecessary were of the genitourinary and digestive systems (OR = 37 and 23, respectively). The question is whether the results can be generalized outside of China.
- Theranostics Training and Education: The growth of theranostics (also referred to as radiopharmaceutical therapy) is creating a need for specialized education and training programs. So says SNMMI, which this week published a position paper that covers issues like radiation safety, dosimetry, and patient management. The group notes that the growing popularity of theranostics is attracting clinicians from outside the field who might lack proper credentials.
- Konica Minolta Signs Telerad Firm: Konica Minolta Healthcare is implementing its Exa Teleradiology software at teleradiology provider Transparent Imaging. Transparent was already a user of Konica Minolta’s Exa PACS platform, and adding teleradiology will enable the company to use a single radiologist workspace for workflow orchestration, viewing, and AI-based reporting. Exa Teleradiology leverages workflow technology from NewVue under a 2024 agreement between the firms.
- Physician Group Enters Radiology: Multi-specialty physician practice network Vituity is entering the radiology services market through the acquisition of Focus Medical Imaging, a radiology group in Pasadena, California. Focus radiologists will become partners at Vituity, which is planning a formal launch in radiology in January 2026. Vituity has been in operation for 50 years and includes over 6k doctors and clinicians delivering care at nearly 700 practice sites and eight acute-care specialties.
- Lumexa to Deploy Ferrum AI Platform: Ferrum Health will deploy its AI Governance Suite platform throughout Lumexa Imaging’s network of imaging centers. The platform will enable Lumexa to use a single resource for deploying AI solutions from multiple developers, while also measuring algorithm performance using a single objective standard.
- Allstate Claims Fraud Against Texas Groups: Allstate filed a lawsuit against a number of Texas healthcare providers – including radiology groups – charging them with allegedly participating in fraudulent auto insurance claims. Allstate claims that the groups submitted bills for unnecessary imaging services that were referred from personal injury lawyers, and that the defendants billed for services that weren’t rendered or weren’t supervised by a physician as required under Texas law. Allstate claims it paid $1.7M to the providers and is seeking $5.2M in damages.
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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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New-Generation Platform for Managing Multi-Omics Data
QP-Insights from Quibim is a new-generation advanced platform for the management, storage, and analysis of large-scale multi-omics data and medical images for clinical studies and research projects. Learn more on this page.
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- Reimagine Imaging Innovation: Experience a new era of diagnostic imaging in the AGFA booth #2565 at RSNA 2025 in which every click, case, and connection is designed around how you work. Request an on-site demo today.
- 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.
- 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.
- It’s Time to Make AI Adoption Simple: See 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.
- 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.
- Meet Merge at RSNA 2025: From first click to final read, Merge accelerates your workflows with imaging solutions designed by people who think like you. Book a meeting at RSNA 2025 booth #6100 to get your own live demonstration.
- Reshaping the Future of Medical Imaging: Get ready for an unforgettable experience at RSNA 2025, where United Imaging will unveil major innovations that can reshape the future of medical imaging. Visit them at booth #1929 to see their comprehensive multimodality portfolio.
- 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.
- Cut Repetitive Tasks: Less repetition. More focus. Rad AI reduces dictation time by up to 50% and words by up to 90%, freeing you to focus on what matters most: your patients, your practice, and your life. Book a demo at RSNA.
- 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.
- 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.
- Imaging that Powers the AI Era: Explore Mach7 Technologies at RSNA 2025 booth #3351. Book at demo today to learn how they are turning imaging into insights, pixels into progress.
- 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.
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