Started by the Regional One Health Center for Innovation, ONExTalks are a series of short, carefully prepared live presentations, demonstrations, virtual webinars or videos designed to spread ideas and concepts that aim to inspire, foster learning, and provoke conversation.

In this pub talk event, you are invited to mingle with fellow guests and meet Dr. Hendrix, then hear her presentation followed by Q&A. This event series is intended to connect Regional One Health with the community while leading conversations about moving health forward in our region.

Artificial Intelligence, or AI, has exploded in recent years – and it is here to stay. Rather than fear it, we should find ways to work with AI to improve our work and personal lives. That is the message from nationally renowned breast surgical oncologist Ashley Hendrix, MD, MBA, FACS, who sees patients at Regional One Health Cancer Care. Dr. Hendrix explores the question, “What if we used AI in breast care?” The Breast Cancer Risk Assessment Tool (BCRAT) calculates a patient’s risk of getting breast cancer based on specific data points. In 2019, a Yale University study found having AI interpret data entered into BCRAT was just as accurate as a clinician interpretation. Diagnostic processes are another area AI can support, Dr. Hendrix said. In radiology, AI is already used to augment and enhance images, and Computer Aided Detection (CAD) is standard practice to support a radiologist’s reading. If CAD were improved further, she said, it’s possible AI could be a tool to provide every patient with a second review of their image.

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