Breast imaging market driven by the development of breast-specific gamma imaging

The global breast imaging market is one of the fastest growing multi-billion dollar markets in the healthcare industry, and has been forecast to increase at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 15.37% over the next five years, reaching a market value of $5 billion by 2017.

The global breast imaging market holds a significant share of the medical device industry owing to rising awareness about the early screening of breast cancer.

Though digital mammography is the gold standard in the current breast imaging market, modalities such as breast MRI Scans, breast ultrasound and CTs are expected to drastically improve the breast imaging market scenario.

Mammograms are x-ray exams of the breast. They are most often used to screen for breast cancer in women who have no symptoms. Mammograms and other breast imaging tests can also be used in women who have breast symptoms, such as a lump or pain, or who have a suspicious change seen on a screening mammogram.

MRI is used for women who have been diagnosed with breast cancer to help measure the size of the cancer and to look for any other cancers in the breasts. For certain women at high risk for breast cancer, screening MRI is recommended along with a yearly mammogram. MRI is not generally recommended as a screening tool by itself, as it might miss some cancers that a mammogram would detect.

Key factors currently driving growth within the breast imaging market include the rising numbers of breast cancer cases, technological revolution to reduce the number of false positives, and safer and more comfortable imaging procedures with better efficacy and outcome.

Leading the overall women's health market with sales of digital radiography equipment are Hologic and GE Healthcare. The development of breast-specific gamma imaging by Dilon Technologies and Gamma Medical, and positron emission mammography by Naviscan mean a new market for breast scans, and these technologies will experience rapid growth.

Inadequate reimbursement policies are the major set-back for the breast imaging market. However, this, too, will likely improve as the technology becomes more available across the globe.

For more information on the breast imaging market, see the latest research: Breast Imaging Market

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