Health Disparities and Ethical Considerations for AI Integration in Mammography

Abstract: Breast cancer mortality rates among women in certain ethnic, socioeconomic, sexual, and other minority groups, such as women with disabilities, those living in rural communities, and those who are under- or uninsured have been higher than in White women, women with higher income, women without disabilities, and women with reliable insurance. Disparities in breast cancer mortality rates can in part be attributed to barriers in access to mammography, which is the current gold standard for breast cancer screening. In recent years, artificial intelligence (AI) has been researched for integration into mammography to enhance screening results and breast cancer outcomes. This manuscript explores the potential ethical implications of the implementation of AI in mammography, and how this integration may affect existing health disparities. It concludes with policy recommendations for consideration prior to AI implementation in mammography to help ensure its integration mitigates existing health disparities rather than exacerbates them.