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case study · NeuralMed × Alliança Saúde · NLP in healthcare

Cutting 10 days off the path to a breast cancer diagnosis.

Using natural language processing to read every mammography report and flag, right away, the patients who need a biopsy.

Role
AI Product Manager
Client
Alliança Saúde
Technology
Natural language processing
Team
Engineering, Data, Design, Medical Management

01 / the problem

Every mammography result is classified on the BI-RADS risk scale. Patients with BI-RADS 0 (inconclusive) or BI-RADS 3, 4 and 5 (varying probability of cancer) need a biopsy to confirm or rule out a breast cancer diagnosis.

But the gap between mammography and biopsy tends to be long. The patient usually picks up her result, books a follow-up appointment, and only then schedules the biopsy — losing precious time at each step.

BEFORE
  1. Mammography
  2. Patient receives report
  3. Follow-up appointment
  4. Biopsy scheduled
AFTER
  1. Mammography
  2. NLP flags BI-RADS 0, 3, 4, 5
  3. Clinic contacts patient
  4. Biopsy scheduled

02 / the solution

We used NLP to analyze every report issued by the client and quickly flag the cases that needed a biopsy. With that information, the client could reach out to patients and book biopsies right away.

The result: a shorter path to diagnosis for patients — and better use of capacity that might otherwise sit idle in the client's exam units.

03 / what I did

Bridged engineering and data

Acted as the link between both teams, working closely with Design and Medical Management on every decision.

Listened to the client

Prioritized improvements from direct client feedback and led ideation sessions with stakeholders.

Followed the data

Tracked adoption of technical and user-facing products and found improvement opportunities through analysis.

Owned the rollout

Oversaw implementation with the client, making sure the right information reached the right people quickly.

04 / result

30 → 20

days between mammography and the next exam for patients with suspected breast cancer.

In the press · Exame · Oct 2023 Alliança Saúde bets on AI to speed up breast cancer diagnosis read article (PT) ↗

05 / what I learned

Cutting-edge technology is essential in healthcare. But it has to come with great usability — delivering the information the client needs, quickly and effortlessly.