New AI Predicts Breast Cancer Years Ahead Using Breast 'Age'

A new AI tool called SideAge-RiskNet could change how we screen for breast cancer. Instead of just looking for tumors, it measures the 'biological age' of each breast from a mammogram. Breasts that appear older than expected—especially if one is much older than the other—are more likely to develop cancer in the next few years. This is important because current risk models are not very personalized, and this AI could help doctors flag high-risk women earlier.

The AI was trained on thousands of mammograms from women who never had cancer. It learned to predict each breast's age and then used the difference between the two breasts as a warning sign. In tests, it beat two leading risk models (Mirai and AsymMirai) at predicting cancer up to five years in advance. It also predicted which breast would be affected in women who later developed cancer in one breast. This means doctors could focus screening on the more vulnerable breast.

For the average person, this could mean more personalized screening schedules. Women at higher risk might get extra scans or start screening earlier, while those at lower risk might avoid unnecessary anxiety and procedures. The AI still needs more testing in diverse populations, but it's a promising step toward smarter, less invasive cancer surveillance. If approved, it could be available in clinics within a few years.