AI Breast Cancer Risk Assessment
Know Your Breast Cancer Risk
At Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (BIDMC), our goal is to give every woman the most informed, personalized care possible. As part of that commitment, we now offer a new, FDA-authorized artificial intelligence (AI) tool, Clairity Breast, that uses your routine screening mammogram to estimate your future 5-year risk of developing breast cancer.
What Is the Clairity Breast Risk Assessment?
Clairity Breast is an FDA-authorized technology now offered at BIDMC. It uses AI to analyze the same screening mammogram images your doctor already reviews, identifying subtle patterns in breast tissue that may relate to future breast cancer risk.
Clairity Breast does not detect or diagnose existing breast cancer or provide care recommendations. Instead, it provides a personalized risk estimate of your likelihood of being diagnosed with breast cancer within the next five years.
Why We’re Offering This at BIDMC
- Most women diagnosed with breast cancer have no family history.
- Clairity Breast helps identify risk that standard questionnaires can miss.
- Knowing your risk can help you and your healthcare provider make the most appropriate plan for screening and prevention, whether that means staying on your current screening schedule or considering additional options.
- Your results are reviewed by your health care provider and discussed as part of your ongoing care.
How Can I Receive a Clairity Breast Risk Score?
Interested patients can call the BreastCare Center at 617-667-2900.
More about AI Breast Cancer Risk Assessment
Your score reflects your 5-year risk of developing breast cancer, expressed as a percentage. Your healthcare provider will help you understand what your percentage risk means for you now, and how it might impact monitoring of your breast health going forward. According to published guidelines, breast cancer risk scores generally fall into the following categories:
- High Risk: Greater than or equal to 3.0%
- Increased Risk: Greater than 1.7% but less than 3.0%
- Average Risk: Less than 1.7%
Note: A higher number does not mean cancer is present. It only means your future risk may be higher than other women.
Does this replace my mammogram?
No. Clairity Breast uses your existing mammogram to estimate your 5-year risk. You should continue routine screening at the frequency recommended by your provider.
What if my score is high?
A higher score does not mean you have cancer. It simply means your future risk may be higher than average. Your provider can discuss whether additional screening, genetic counseling, or other preventive steps are appropriate.
Who sees my results?
Only authorized healthcare providers. All data and images are stored securely in our medical record system and protected under HIPAA.
How often should I take the test?
Your risk can change over time. We recommend repeating the assessment whenever you have a new screening mammogram.
How much does it cost?
As there is often a gap between FDA approval and insurance coverage, Clairity Breast is currently offered as a self-pay service ($199). Insurance coverage is expected to expand as adoption grows.
How is this different from genetic testing?
Genetic tests look for inherited DNA mutations in blood or saliva. Clairity Breast analyzes your mammogram images to assess risk, even if you have no known genetic mutation or family history.
