Artificial intelligence technology is set to support breast cancer screening in Ireland. The Mia (Mammography Intelligent Assessment) tool uses cutting-edge AI technology to support radiologists examining breast images. It assists radiologists in the process of reading mammograms, acting as an independent "second reader" of the images. Developed by UK-based applied science company Kheiron Medical Technologies, it has now been made available across the island of Ireland through medical supply company Hospital Services Limited (HSL). With bases in Dublin and Belfast, HSL distributes medical supplies and surgical equipment to public and private hospitals across the UK and Ireland.

Kheiron Medical Technologies (Kheiron), a machine learning startup that's setting out to help radiologists detect early signs of cancer, has raised $22 million in a series A round of funding led by European VC firm Atomico, with participation from Greycroft, Connect Ventures, Hoxton Ventures, and Exor Seeds. Founded out of London in 2016, Kheiron offers a breast-screening product called Mia, which serves as a "second reader" to help radiologists decide whether to recall a patient for further evaluation. It's designed as a supportive tool rather than to replace medical professionals -- an automated second opinion, if you like. Mia's machine learning and data-processing smarts integrate directly into existing radiology workflows and software and look at areas of interest in full-field digital mammography (FFDM) images from breast cancer screenings, which can be difficult to read with the naked human eye if the tumors are small. This difficulty is often compounded by other distracting "noise" in a scan.