For decades, mammography has been one of healthcare’s most powerful tools for detecting breast cancer early. And today, artificial intelligence is helping make that screening even stronger.
California’s Sutter Health has long been recognized as a leader in quality care and digital health innovations. The not-for-profit health system has embraced AI-enhanced mammography to support radiologists, improve screening accuracy and expand access for patients to life-changing breast cancer detection.
Since the first pilot launched in September 2023, AI has analyzed more than 380,000 Sutter mammograms alongside the radiologist. About 1 in 10 exams is scored as highly suspicious, prompting a closer look. In the regions Sutter has measured so far, radiologists using AI detected 159 more breast cancers in the first year than before AI was in place.
The technology is designed to act as a clinical decision support tool, giving physicians another layer of insight as they review mammograms while keeping skilled human judgment at the center of every diagnosis.
Dr. Jason Wiesner
“Artificial intelligence doesn’t replace the expertise of radiologists. It enhances how we care for patients,” said Dr. Jason Wiesner, radiologist and chair of Sutter’s Imaging Service Line. “Think of it as a second set of eyes that points us to subtle findings worth a closer look and gives us more confidence when an exam looks normal. Since we started using it, our radiologists have found more cancers in every region we’ve measured. The combination of clinical expertise and AI gives us another opportunity to detect cancer earlier, when treatment can be most effective.”
The effort reflects a broader commitment to modernizing imaging services and helping patients receive the benefits of emerging technologies closer to home. Sutter performs more than 370,000 mammogram screenings annually across more than 60 imaging locations and diagnoses approximately 4,100 people with breast cancer each year. The technology has now been rolled out across Sutter after a series of testing and validation studies.
The benefits extend beyond cancer detection alone.
AI helps radiologists prioritize areas that may need additional review while reducing the likelihood of false positives, which can lead to unnecessary follow-up tests, procedures and anxiety for patients.
“The software marks areas that deserve a closer look and scores how suspicious each exam is overall. The radiologist still makes the call,” Dr. Wiesner said. “What we’re seeing at Sutter is more cancers found, and in some regions, fewer patients called back for extra imaging they didn’t need. That means more accurate screenings and a better experience for patients.”
As artificial intelligence continues to evolve, Sutter sees opportunities to further enhance imaging, improve care coordination and identify disease earlier. But the goal remains unchanged: helping patients receive timely, accurate diagnoses and the best possible chance for successful treatment.
Dr. Nitin Rohatgi
“At Sutter Health, we’re focused on using AI thoughtfully, responsibly and in ways that create meaningful value for patients,” said Dr. Nitin Rohatgi, chair of Sutter’s Breast Cancer Programs of Oncology Distinction. “By combining advanced technology with the expertise of our clinicians, we’re creating a more connected, proactive model of cancer care. It’s another example of how innovation can help improve outcomes while bringing leading-edge care to more people across our footprint.”
