Staff report
According to the World Cancer Research Fund (WCRF), the number of cases of breast cancer is likely to reach about 2.1 million before 2030. Also, as per the World Health Organization report on breast cancer released in March 2021, over 2.3 million women globally were diagnosed with the disease in 2020, with approximately 685,000 dying as a result of its severity. Breast imaging is the primary method of diagnosis for a vast majority of breast cancer patients globally. This aspect is expected to contribute to the growth of the market during the forecast period.
Two reports from Grand View Research predicted continued growth in the breast imaging market.
“The global breast imaging market size was valued at $4.7 billion in 2022 and is projected to expand at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.6% from 2023 to 2030. Factors such as the rising prevalence of breast cancer, technological breakthroughs in the domain of breast imaging, and investment from several organizations in breast cancer screening programs drive the market,” one report reads.
The same report states, “Several significant market companies are also concentrating on mammography for breast cancer diagnosis. For example, in August 2021, Fujifilm Medical Systems unveiled the ASPIRE Cristalle mammography system, which will use ScreenPoint Medical’s Transpara powered by Fusion AI for 2D and 3D mammography. The use of artificial intelligence in breast cancer screening might assist to lessen the workload of health care personnel. Such advancements in mammography for breast imaging are expected to contribute to the growth of the breast imaging market over the forecast period. Furthermore, various advances in the area have reduced over-diagnosis and improved sensitivity to identify tiny carcinomas. These constant improvements in this sector are anticipated to boost segment growth.”
The second report from Grand View Research states that the “global mammography market size was valued at $2.35 billion in 2023 and is projected to grow at a CAGR of 8.87% from 2024 to 2030.”
“The rising prevalence of breast cancer and increasing demand for early-stage diagnosis amongst patients are some of the key factors anticipated to drive demand for breast cancer diagnostic devices over the forecast period,” the report continues. “Increased access to breast cancer screening systems and growing government initiatives to support clinical interpretation are some of the pivotal factors expected to propel market growth. The demand for mammography screening services is on the rise due to the increasing prevalence of breast cancer among the geriatric population. Furthermore, as the world’s population is growing, a large proportion of women might reach the age of 60 years or older. Women over the age of 60 years account for about 78% of all breast cancer-related fatalities.”
“Breast cancer has a high incidence and fatality rate in this age range, indicating a significant unmet demand for breast cancer diagnostics. The need for mammography is likely to rise as the number of events and fatalities rises,” it continues.
New technology is also sending the market higher.
“With the introduction of new 3D-based technology called Digital Breast Tomosynthesis (DBT), obtaining a 3D image of the breast is possible. This allows radiologists to scan the breast slice by slice and identify abnormalities, which would be obscured in 2D images. Furthermore, the high demand for mammography screening services can be attributed to the improvement in accuracy and efficiency provided by advanced technologies, such as digital mammography, 3D mammography (tomosynthesis), and computer-aided detection (CAD),” Grand View Research states. “For instance, in November 2023, GE HealthCare unveiled a new product, the MyBreastAI suite, at the RSNA 2023 conference in Chicago. The AI-powered suite aims to streamline radiologists’ workflows and aid in the early detection of breast cancer. These advancements in mammography technology drive the demand for mammography products.”
The breast tomosynthesis technology segment is expected to witness the fastest CAGR from 2024 to 2030, according to the report.
“Digital breast tomosynthesis is a high-resolution limited-angle tomography technology that uses X-rays to create a 3-dimensional image of the breast. It is a new technique that aids in the identification of breast cancer in its early stages,” the report states. “Digital breast tomosynthesis is very useful in analyzing dense breasts and can enhance the ability to detect breast cancer. It minimizes the number of false-positive readings (readings that identify normal tissue as abnormal) and the necessity for a biopsy. It is especially good for examining dense breasts.” •
