Sutter Health Expands Access to AI-Enhanced Mammography Through Mobile Breast Cancer Screening

California-based Sutter Health has expanded its use of artificial intelligence in breast cancer screening, launching an advanced AI-enhanced mobile mammography program to improve early detection and access for underserved populations. Partnering with Ferrum Health, a leader in AI governance and infrastructure, Sutter aims to elevate diagnostic precision and streamline care delivery through its growing network of imaging centers and mobile units.

At the heart of the initiative is a 40-foot mobile mammography van operated by the Carol Ann Read Breast Health Center. Outfitted with 3D mammography and powered by Ferrum’s AI platform, the mobile clinic travels throughout the East Bay and neighboring regions, bringing preventive care directly to women who might otherwise face barriers such as transportation, time, or limited local resources.

The Ferrum Health platform provides a secure framework for deploying AI across Sutter’s health system. Standardizing workflows and providing actionable insights to radiologists helps ensure consistent, efficient, and safe application of AI in clinical settings.

According to early results, the integration of AI tools into Sutter’s screening network has produced measurable improvements in both detection and workflow efficiency across more than 60 imaging sites.

• Detection rates increased from 4.8 to over 6.0 per 1,000 screenings.

• False positives were reduced, decreasing unnecessary follow-ups and patient anxiety.

• The AI identified 12% of women as high-risk and 3% as extremely high-risk, enabling earlier clinical intervention.

• For 42% of imaging studies, the AI detected no anomalies, helping radiologists read more efficiently and confidently.
  
  

“By expanding access and investing in innovation, we’re redefining cancer care from prevention to survivorship, today and for the future,” said Dr. Nitin Rohatgi, medical oncologist and chair of the Breast Cancer Programs of Oncology Distinction at Sutter Health.

Sutter’s use of AI in mobile and stationary mammography underscores the health system’s broader commitment to digital transformation and health equity. By combining clinical expertise with advanced technology, the organization is demonstrating how innovation can bridge accessibility gaps and improve patient outcomes across diverse communities.

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