Beyond the Panini Press: New Alternatives to Mammograms

Two hosts discuss mammograms as breast-cancer screening, describing the painful “squeezing” process, especially for dense breast tissue, and how mammograms can be less useful for them, often requiring follow-up ultrasounds that may not be covered by insurance. They review emerging alternatives: photoacoustic computed tomography (PACT) using laser light and sound to create 3D maps without radiation; VeraScan, a face-down 3D scan with less radiation and no compression; dedicated breast CT (IzoView) for fast 360-degree imaging, helpful with implants; an experimental fingerprint sweat test using mass spectrometry and AI; molecular breast imaging as a supplement after mammograms using radioactive tracer; AI-enhanced mammography to improve detection and reduce false positives; “Blue Box” at-home urine testing using AI modeled on dogs’ olfaction; and an MIT smart-bra wearable ultrasound. They argue more women in STEM and better funding could make screening more tolerable and increase participation.

00:00 Content Warning

00:17 Catching Up

02:03 Mammograms Today

02:16 Pain and Dense Tissue

04:06 First Mammogram Story

06:26 Why Mammograms Fail

08:47 New Tech Hope

10:07 PACT Explained

13:10 VeraScan 3D Scan

15:02 Dedicated Breast CT

15:59 Fingerprint Sweat Test

17:59 Molecular Breast Imaging

19:48 AI Enhanced Reads

21:45 Blue Box Urine AI Test

23:34 Smart Bra Ultrasound Patch

24:38 Why Mammograms Get Avoided

25:45 Funding AI and Women in STEM

27:04 Insurance and Hospital Pushback

29:21 Pap Smear Tech Gets Easier

31:12 Family Health Talk Bowel Habits

33:12 Plans Money and Sign Off

35:50 Where to Find the Show

hystericalhysteria.com

hystericalsaragina@gmail.com