AI and Mammograms
Featured Expert
April 9, 2026
When you schedule your next mammogram, you may find that artificial intelligence (AI) software is being used or offered as part of the screening review.
At Johns Hopkins Medicine, all mammogram screenings are reviewed by fellowship-trained, specialized breast radiologists, with the support of AI software at no additional charge. The purpose of the AI review is to improve the accuracy of mammogram results.
Pouneh Razavi, MD, Director for Breast Imaging in the Greater Washington area, explains how and why AI is being used in mammograms.
Key Points
- Research indicates that AI software can help breast radiologists increase the detection of cancer, particularly at the early stage.
- AI software can also help to reduce false positive readings, sparing women the need to return for additional testing.
- Mammograms using AI to review screenings do not feel different or require longer appointment times.
- At Johns Hopkins, mammograms are reviewed by AI software as a secondary tool to help radiologists detect cancer, particularly at early stages.
- Because it is a very useful secondary tool, Johns Hopkins uses AI to help screen all mammograms – at no additional charge.
How does AI work for mammograms?
- AI software reviews hundreds of thousands to millions of mammograms to create a model for determining what a normal mammogram looks like and what a mammogram showing cancer looks like.
- When reviewing a mammogram, AI software checks each mammogram image against the standards to determine whether it’s normal or not.
- As the AI software is exposed to more and more mammograms, the AI readings become more accurate.
How is AI used at Johns Hopkins for mammograms?
At Johns Hopkins Medicine, the AI screening software serves as a second opinion and does not replace the experience and judgment of our fellowship-trained, specialized breast radiologists who perform mammograms.
When a patient gets a mammogram, a Johns Hopkins breast radiologist and the AI software separately interpret the images. If AI flags something, the doctor will conduct an additional review. If there’s still a question, a second radiologist will weigh in. The final decision is always with Johns Hopkins doctors.
Does Johns Hopkins charge extra for using AI in mammograms?
Johns Hopkins includes AI reviews as a standard part of our mammogram process, at no additional cost to patients. It does not require separate insurance approval.
Johns Hopkins does this so all our patients receive the best mammogram screening we can provide.
What are the benefits of using AI in reviewing mammograms?
Even though AI technology is still fairly new in reading mammograms, we’re definitely seeing benefits.
- Research published in December 2025 in The National Library of Medicine shows that using AI in reviewing mammograms increased cancer detection and reduced false negative reports (when a cancer is missed on a screening).
- It is also particularly good at picking up small and subtle distortions, which could be early indicators of suspicious findings, prompting clinicians to recommend a needed biopsy.
- AI helps reduce the number of false positive screenings, which occur when a screening incorrectly identifies an area that needs further study.
- The use of AI has also been shown to increase the diagnosis of small, invasive cancers.
What are the weaknesses in using AI to help review mammograms?
AI is not yet able to analyze screening images from year to year for an individual. This means it might incorrectly flag an area that a breast specialist can see has been stable for years. This is why it’s crucial that a dedicated breast imager reviews recommendations from AI.
Will my mammogram exam feel different or take longer because AI is being used to help review my screening?
No. Patients have a normal mammogram procedure and then AI is used after the exam by radiologists to review the images.
Will AI use in mammograms make it more likely that I am called back for another screening or a biopsy?
At Johns Hopkins, all AI findings are reviewed by a radiologist, so our doctors — not AI — will recommend whether a person should come back for another screening or biopsy. And remember, a callback doesn’t necessarily mean there is cancer; it means we need to take a closer look. The medical field is finding that AI helps doctors make better decisions about who to call back since it is showing strong promise in detecting cancers earlier.
Should I be worried that my personal health information will be used by AI?
No. At Johns Hopkins, patient privacy is of the utmost concern. Our AI software does not store your personal health information.
What if AI makes a mistake?
At Johns Hopkins imaging locations, if AI flags something, a doctor will conduct an additional review. If there’s still a question, a second radiologist will weigh in. The final decision is always with the doctor.
It’s likely screening centers other than Johns Hopkins will follow this same approach but be sure to ask how they use AI in mammogram screenings.
Medically reviewed by: Pouneh Razavi, MD
