What Does AI Have To Do With a Mammogram?
Quick answer: At Solis Mammography, AI software works alongside our 3D mammography systems to spot potential signs of breast cancer even earlier. This means the smallest changes can be flagged sooner, giving you more treatment options and greater peace of mind.
When you think about your annual mammogram, artificial intelligence probably isn't the first thing that comes to mind. But behind the scenes, AI is quietly changing what a mammogram can do and what it can find.
For 40 years, Solis Mammography has led the way in breast health. We were pioneers in 3D mammography and early advocates for SmartCurve, the curved paddle designed to make your mammogram more comfortable. Now, we've taken another leap forward. This post explains how AI fits into your screening, why it matters for early detection, and what it means for you.
When Did Solis Mammography Start Using AI in Mammograms?
In the spring of 2021, Solis Mammography integrated sophisticated AI software into our 3D early detection screening platform. It marked another meaningful step forward for our patients and for the industry of mammography as a whole.
The idea is straightforward. When advanced AI algorithms are applied to your 3D mammogram, they help our breast-dedicated radiologists improve accuracy and detect breast cancer earlier than ever before. The technology supports our expert radiologists—it doesn't replace them.
Why Does Earlier Detection Matter So Much?
For years, we’ve talked about the importance of early detection. With AI, we've changed that to earliest detection.
Here's why that shift matters. When breast cancer is found in its earliest stages, it's highly treatable, and survival rates soar. Finding a cancer sooner can mean more treatment options and better outcomes.
Think of it this way: our AI-powered platform helps us catch a cancer when it's half the size of a pea, rather than waiting until it grows to the size of a walnut. That difference in timing can change everything.
What Does AI Mean for You as a Patient?
AI has also opened new doors in women's health. Through our AI platform, we introduced Mammo+Heart, a screening innovation that can detect breast arterial calcification, which is an early indicator of possible coronary artery disease. Now, a single mammogram appointment can offer insight into both your breast health and your heart health.
For you, this all adds up to one thing: peace of mind. You get the accuracy of advanced technology, the expertise of breast-dedicated radiologists, and the comfort of a patient-centered experience all in one visit.
How Has Solis Mammography Led Breast Health for 40 Years?
Innovation is in our DNA. Since 1986, Solis Mammography has brought better, more accurate mammograms to the cities, towns and communities we serve.
Two innovations stand out. First, 3D mammography, which research has shown can increase early detection by 54%. Second, SmartCurve, a signature curved paddle shaped to match a woman's breast. It has been clinically proven to lessen the force of compression while maximizing comfort, delivering a mammogram that's 93% more comfortable.
We evaluate new technology with one simple question in mind: will it help the patient? If the answer is yes, we bring it into our centers. Then we let you decide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does AI replace the radiologist reading my mammogram?
No. At Solis Mammography, AI software supports our breast-dedicated radiologists, it does not replace them. The technology works alongside our experts to improve accuracy and help detect breast cancer earlier than ever before.
How does AI help detect breast cancer earlier?
When advanced AI algorithms are applied to your 3D mammogram, they help our radiologists identify the smallest changes sooner. This can mean finding a cancer when it's the half the size of a pea rather than the size of a walnut, offering more treatment options and better outcomes.
When did Solis Mammography begin using AI?
Solis Mammography integrated AI into our 3D early detection screening platform in the spring of 2021, building on 40 years of innovation in breast health.
What is Mammo+Heart?
Mammo+Heart is an AI-driven screening innovation available at select centers. It can detect breast arterial calcification, which may indicate coronary artery disease, giving you insight into both your breast and heart health at a single appointment.
Is an AI-enhanced mammogram more accurate?
Yes. Applying AI to 3D mammography improves accuracy and helps detect breast cancer earlier than ever before, all while keeping our breast-dedicated radiologists at the center of your care.