Amy West •
Every October, Breast Cancer Awareness Month reminds us of the urgent importance of early detection and equitable access to care. While awareness campaigns have made great strides in encouraging women to schedule their mammograms, the path from screening to diagnosis remains fragmented for many— hindered by outdated systems, data silos, and logistical barriers that can literally cost lives.
At HITLAB, we believe technology has the power to bridge these gaps. When designed thoughtfully and validated through evidence, digital health tools can accelerate early detection, improve patient engagement, and strengthen the connection between women and their healthcare teams.
One of the most exciting examples of this innovation is Send Mammogram, a pioneering platform that HITLAB is currently evaluating through a Heuristic Study—a structured usability assessment that examines design, navigation, and user experience against best-practice standards.
Empowering Women to Take Control of Their Breast Health
Breast cancer screening is most effective when radiologists can compare new mammograms with prior studies. Yet today, retrieving those past images still often requires fax requests, mailed CDs, and paper forms—processes that delay care, increase costs, and cause unnecessary anxiety.
Send Mammogram addresses this challenge by empowering women to request, store, and share their prior mammograms anytime, anywhere. Its mobile app, MammoVault®, gives users a secure digital home for their breast health records, ensuring that critical images are never out of reach.
The app also features Mammsi™, an emerging AI-powered assistant that will provide personalized education, reminders, and support throughout the screening journey – helping women stay informed and engaged while easing communication for providers. Together, these tools aim to reduce delays, unnecessary repeat imaging, and patient stress – while simplifying workflows for clinicians.
As HITLAB conducts its heuristic evaluation, our experts are applying a rigorous usability framework to assess how the platform meets the needs of both patients and providers. By identifying opportunities to strengthen accessibility, engagement, and design, we help ensure that solutions like Send Mammogram deliver maximum impact and real-world usability.
Evidence-Backed Innovation: The Path to Meaningful Change
At HITLAB, we know that innovation without evidence is just an idea. That’s why we apply research-based validation to every technology we evaluate. Evidence gives digital health tools credibility, and credibility drives adoption—especially in women’s health, where too many innovations have historically been under-tested or underfunded.
“Improving access to mammography and reducing delays caused by missing prior images is critical to early detection and better outcomes,” says Stan Kachnowski, Chair of HITLAB. “Send Mammogram represents exactly the type of innovation that can make a measurable difference in women’s health. Our evaluation will help ensure the platform delivers the best possible user experience for patients and providers alike”
Our forthcoming white paper on this evaluation will share actionable insights on how usability, design, and evidence intersect to create technology that truly empowers women—and transforms care delivery.
Digital Health’s Expanding Role in Breast Cancer Care
The potential impact of digital health in breast cancer care extends far beyond screening. AI-driven tools are now supporting tumor detection, treatment planning, and survivorship management, while mobile apps and telehealth platforms are improving continuity of care and psychosocial support for patients navigating treatment.
From remote symptom monitoring to digital navigation platforms that guide women through complex care journeys, evidence-backed innovation is reshaping how we detect, treat, and thrive beyond breast cancer.
Moving Forward: Collaboration for Impact
Learn more about
Amy West
Principal Director, Advisory Services & Chair, Women's Health Tech Initiative, HITLAB
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