BERLIN, Jan. 07, 2025 — A major German study offers the first real-world evidence of AI’s transformative potential in breast cancer screening, dispelling long-held speculation about AI replacing radiologists. The PRAIM (PRospective multicenter observational study of an integrated artificial intelligence (AI) system with live Monitoring) Study, a collaboration between Vara and the University of Lübeck, shows that integrating AI into screening workflows boosts breast cancer detection rates by 17.6% without increasing false positives.
PRAIM is the largest AI radiology project to date, encompassing 500,000 participants across Germany. As the first nationwide AI deployment within Germany’s National Screening Program, it significantly surpasses previous studies limited by retrospective data or small-scale lab settings.
Key findings include:
- Enhanced cancer detection rates and substantially reduced radiologist workloads through AI integration.
- A 43% reduction in the time radiologists spent reviewing AI-flagged normal examinations.
- Even in a simulated scenario omitting radiologist review of AI-labeled normal mammograms (56.7% of all scans), cancer detection improved by 16.7%, alongside a 15% decrease in recalls.
This achievement holds particular significance given Germany’s past criticism for lagging in AI innovation, especially in women’s health, compared to the US and China.
Professor Alexander Katalinic, Head of the Institute of Social Medicine and Epidemiology at the University of Lübeck and the study’s lead investigator, stated: “The results are exceptionally positive and exceeded our expectations. We’ve now demonstrated AI’s significant improvement in breast cancer screening detection rates.”
Stefan Bunk, Vara’s CTO, added: “The PRAIM study highlights AI’s immense potential in enhancing breast cancer screening. We are confident these results will foster broader discussion on AI-assisted mammography, leading to wider global adoption in healthcare systems.”
PRAIM represents a pivotal moment in integrating AI into medical practice, clearly showcasing how strategic AI use can revolutionize breast cancer screening by improving both detection and efficiency. The study paves the way for considerable clinical advancements and underscores the need for political support to fully leverage AI’s potential in real-world healthcare.
About Vara
Vara, a healthcare technology company founded in 2018 by CEO Jonas Muff and CTO Stefan Bunk, is revolutionizing breast cancer screening with AI. Based in Berlin, Germany, with additional offices in India, Vara’s AI software enhances breast cancer detection accuracy and efficiency, identifying 43% more cancers than radiologists might miss while reducing their workload by up to 73%. With publications in Lancet Digital Health and elsewhere, Vara’s method significantly outperforms average radiologists. Integrated into Germany’s National Breast Cancer Screening Program, Vara supports 40% of the country’s screening centers, serving over 80,000 women monthly. Vara’s investors include Merantix, EQT Foundation, IBB, and VI Partners. For more information, visit .
Media Contact:
Erin Kim for Vara,
“`