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There is no single new technology revolutionizing every part of breast cancer care. Digital breast tomosynthesis can make screening images easier to interpret; some AI tools assist with specific imaging or surgical tasks; and biomarker tests help match certain diagnosed cancers to treatments. What each tool can do—and what it has not been shown to do—depends on the technology and the stage of care.
What does “new technology” mean in breast cancer care?
It can refer to several different things, not one device used by every patient. Digital breast tomosynthesis (DBT), often called 3D mammography, is an imaging method used for screening or diagnostic evaluation. AI may assist with image interpretation or a particular procedure. Biomarker testing helps clinicians understand features of a diagnosed tumor and select among treatment options.
These technologies address different questions. A screening image looks for signs of cancer before symptoms appear; an intraoperative imaging system can help assess tissue during an operation; biomarker testing informs treatment after a diagnosis. Evidence about one use does not establish that another use is effective.
What is a 3D mammogram, and how does it compare with 2D?
DBT uses an X-ray source that moves through an arc, capturing images from multiple angles. Software reconstructs them into thin slices through the breast. By showing tissue at different depths, DBT can reduce the masking effect of overlapping tissue in image review. The FDA says DBT devices may be helpful when evaluating dense breast tissue.
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| Question | 2D digital mammography | 3D mammography (DBT) |
|---|---|---|
| How are images made? | Standard digital mammography images. | Images from multiple angles are reconstructed into slices. |
| What does the evidence say about finding tumors? | Serves as the standard-mammography comparison in the NCI description of DBT evidence. | NCI says DBT combined with standard mammography detects more tumors than standard mammography alone. |
| Has a reduction in breast cancer deaths been established? | The NCI evidence description does not establish a mortality advantage for 2D over DBT. | NCI says it is not yet known whether DBT reduces breast cancer deaths compared with standard mammography. |
Finding more tumors is not the same outcome as preventing more deaths. It also does not, by itself, establish whether additional findings represent cancers that would have caused harm. The randomized TMIST study compares FDA-approved 2D digital mammography with 3D tomosynthesis, using advanced breast cancer as a key outcome.
Screening guidance depends on personal risk and history. NCI reports that the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommends mammograms every two years for average-risk women ages 40–74. That schedule is not a universal plan: people with very high risk or other relevant history may need a different approach, which should be discussed with a clinician.
Does AI detect breast cancer?
“AI” describes a range of methods, not one test with a single purpose. NCI describes ongoing research into AI for mammogram interpretation and early detection, including studies of whether it can help identify people with ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) at greater risk of progression. That research does not establish AI as a stand-alone replacement for radiologists or standard screening.
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What technology is used during breast cancer surgery?
One specific example is the Claire OCT System. The FDA’s premarket approval record lists a decision date of March 3, 2026. The system combines real-time, volumetric 3D optical coherence tomography imaging with an AI/ML algorithm that marks focal areas suspicious for cancer.
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Its labeled use is to assist in evaluating margins in excised lumpectomy tissue during surgery for patients with biopsy-confirmed breast cancer. It is intended to be used alongside other standard methods and physician interpretation. This is an intraoperative aid after diagnosis—not a routine screening test or a substitute for a mammogram. FDA notes that the labeling displayed with the original approval may not reflect later supplements, so patients and clinicians should check current labeling for the device.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.How do biomarkers and targeted medicines affect treatment?
After a diagnosis, tests for tumor features and biomarkers can help clinicians decide which treatments may be appropriate. Targeted therapies interfere with proteins that help tumors grow; testing may help determine who is likely to benefit. Options vary by disease characteristics, including HER2 status, hormone receptor status, and whether a cancer is associated with BRCA changes.
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Breast cancer care can include surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, hormone therapy, targeted therapy, or immunotherapy. These approaches are not interchangeable, and not every patient is eligible for every medicine. NCI identifies pembrolizumab as the only immunotherapy drug approved to treat breast cancer on the page describing these approaches.
NCI also reports two dated FDA approvals for defined groups: in 2024, inavolisib with fulvestrant and palbociclib for certain patients with advanced or metastatic HR-positive breast cancer with PI3K mutations; and in 2025, datopotamab deruxtecan for ER-positive metastatic breast cancer. These approvals do not make the medicines treatments for breast cancer generally. Eligibility and current prescribing details depend on FDA labeling and an individual’s clinical situation.
How to discuss these options with your care team
Use questions that match the decision you are facing, rather than asking whether a technology is simply “better.”
Quick Recap
- For screening: Is my plan based on my personal and family history as well as breast density?
- For an imaging result: Was my exam 2D mammography or DBT, and what follow-up is appropriate?
- For an AI-enabled test or procedure: Which tool is being used, what task does it perform, and what role does the clinician retain?
- After diagnosis: Which tumor biomarkers were tested, and how do they affect my treatment options?
- For access and cost: What will my insurance cover? The FDA advises patients to contact their insurer and provides a ZIP-code-searchable directory of certified mammography facilities.
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