Mammography Market

Market Overview

The global mammography market size was valued at USD 1.91 billion in 2021. It is projected to reach USD 4.54 billion by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 10.1% during the forecast period (2022-2030). Factors such as rising cases of breast cancer and covernment initiatives to control breast cancer, significantly drives the mammography market demand by 2030.

Mammography is the only breast imaging technique that has consistently been found to reduce breast cancer-related mortality, making it the most effective imaging modality for the early detection of breast cancer in asymptomatic women. Screening mammograms display two views of each breast, the craniocaudal projection and the mediolateral oblique projection, which image the breast from a superior to inferior perspective. The sensitivity of mammography can be increased by providing two views, one from each side, so that abnormalities in one breast can be localized to a specific quadrant.

The rising number of breast cancer cases and the awareness about early-stage diagnosis increase the demand for mammography devices. Government initiatives worldwide about breast cancer and the importance of its early-stage detection are also creating awareness, especially in rural areas of developing countries. Due to the deployment of medical facilities to treat COVID patients, the COVID-19 pandemic negatively impacted mammography screenings and caused a delay in breast cancer tests.

Market Dynamics

Global Mammography Market Drivers

Rising Cases of Breast Cancer

Breast cancer cases are on the rise due to changes in lifestyle, especially in developed countries. Consumption of alcohol increases the estrogen level in the blood, which is linked to the rise in cases of breast cancer. Several studies have concluded that increased consumption of alcohol increases the risk of breast cancer by 10%. Other natural reasons, such as obese women after menopause, are more likely to have breast cancer, as body fat increases the estrogen level. Increasing pollution, use of chemicals, and improper diet are the other reasons for the rise in cases of breast cancer. The market is anticipated to be driven by an increase in mammography screenings for breast cancer over the forecast period.

Government Initiatives to Control Breast Cancer

Several governments worldwide are working towards controlling the rise in mortality rate due to breast cancer by providing free or low-cost screening and treatment assistance. For instance, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (C.D.C.) of the U.S.A. runs a National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program (NBCCEDP) to provide access to breast and cervical cancer screening and diagnostic services for women of low-income groups. Furthermore, NBCCEDP focuses on policy formation that influences and increases the rate of screenings.

Similarly, WHO has also introduced a global policy to reduce breast cancer mortality by 2.5% by 2040. W.H.O. focuses on guiding governments worldwide to strengthen screenings and treatment systems to reduce the mortality rate. In India, health awareness programs are being run by central and state governments to spread awareness about breast cancer and assist women with screening and treatment procedures.

Global Mammography Market Restraint

High Cost of Mammography Systems

Due to the high cost of mammography equipment, market expansion may be constrained. The price varies between different types of mammography machines, such as the price of an analog mammography machine is around 8,000 USD to 15,000, and the cost of a digital mammography machine is about 20,000 USD to 50,000 USD. Prices depend on the type of digital detector and the 3D imaging capability of the devices. The screening prices are also high unless the government subsidizes it under some national scheme. The machines' high costs prevent the mammography market growth in developing and under-developed nations, where the government may have faced other financial and social challenges. 

Global Mammography Market Opportunities

New Innovations in the Mammography Technology

The technological advancements in mammography technology are increasing the effectiveness and reducing the cost of screening, creating the opportunity for exponential mammography market growth over the forecast period. A lot of innovations have occurred to overcome the shortcomings of 2-D mammography. For instance, 3D mammography systems are now able to detect 20% to 65% more cases of cancers than 2D mammograms. Furthermore, AI is enhancing mammography machines to detect the earliest stage of breast cancer with more precise imaging. The innovations have led to several advantages over the previous generation of machines with enhanced sensitivity, faster image processing, and improved breast density readings. Implementing computer-aided design to increase the effectiveness of breast cancer detection will positively impact the mammography market.

Regional Analysis

The global mammography market share is bifurcated into four regions, namely North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and LAMEA.

North America Dominates the Global Market

North America is the most significant shareholder in the global mammography market and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 9.3% during the forecast period. An unhealthy lifestyle, improper diet, extended working hours, consumption of alcohol, and obesity among women in North America have increased the risk of breast cancer. In the USA, around 264,000 breast cancer cases are diagnosed in women, and it is the second most common cancer in the region and is expected to rise in the coming years. Furthermore, several mammography product manufacturers are investing heavily in the research and development of their mammograms to increase the detection rate at a low cost. Thus, increased awareness and higher literacy rates among women in the region have increased the screenings and diagnosis services, contributing to the mammography market's growth.

Europe is expected to grow at a CAGR of 9.8%, generating USD 1.28 billion during the forecast period. The increasing government initiatives to control breast cancer by early detection through mammography technology are driving the market forward in the region. Moreover, the rise in cases of breast cancer in the geriatric population is more compared with the younger population in Europe, which increases the risk of a high mortality rate due to other complications in old age. This has led to an increase in government funding for controlling and lowering the mortality rates due to breast cancer, which will further increase mammography technology adoption in the region. Public Health England has launched a campaign called 'Be Clear on Cancer' to raise awareness of breast cancer and motivate for screening, which resulted in a 25% increase in breast cancer diagnosis.

Asia-Pacific region is also growing at a substantial CAGR, owing to government initiatives and increasing literacy rates among women in developing countries like Vietnam, Malaysia, and India. For instance, in the Indian state of Goa, the state government launched an initiative for a free screening of breast cancer to increase the early detection of breast cancer and reduce the mortality rate. Similarly, another Indian state, Punjab, launched a PINK project initiative to timely detect breast cancer and provided treatment to the patient. The PINK project focuses on the early detection of breast cancer through thermal-based AI mammography technology devices and follow-up with treatment initiation.

In China, breast cancer is becoming the most common cancer in women, which is increasing at a higher rate than the global average. The government acknowledges the importance of prevention through early detection. In addition, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute & Hospital (TMUCIH), with China Anti-Cancer Association, made the country's first guidelines to increase breast cancer screenings to reduce the mortality rate in the country.

LAMEA region is projected to contribute to the growth of the mammography market due to the government support and use of technology for healthcare in the UAE and Saudi Arabia (KSA). For instance, in Saudi Arabia, the Breast Cancer Early Detection program has been launched to increase the detection of breast cancer in the early stage. Screening is available for free in hospitals, primary health centers in urban areas, and mobile clinics. Furthermore, In Brazil, access to breast cancer screening has increased with the help of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), in which two mammography machines are installed on Brazilian navy ships to provide services along the Amazon River. The navy ships will travel to the borders of Colombia, Guyana, Peru, and Venezuela to extend the benefits of mammograms and provide healthcare to the women living in those regions.

Segmental Analysis

The global Mammography market is segmented by product, technology, and end-user.

Based on Product, the global market is bifurcated into film screens, digital systems, analog systems, and 3D systems.

The digital systems segment is the highest contributor to the market and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 9.4% during the forecast period. The larger share is linked to the tremendous advantages of the digital segment over the analog and film screen systems. The improved accuracy of digital mammograms and reduced false favorable recall rates have increased the adoption of digital mammograms. Moreover, European government screening programs have also utilized digital mammography due to the shortage of film supplies, maintenance issues, and the high cost of maintaining film archives of film screen systems. The new complementary 3D system, which improves the efficiency of the digital strategy, is also one of the reasons for the increased adoption of digital systems today. This segment is anticipated to grow further over the forecast period.

The 3D systems segment growth is due to the increased breast cancer detection with this system. It uses X-ray technology to render a 3D image of the breast to examine it from various angles, which makes it easier to detect any abnormality in the breast which can lead to breast cancer. The 3D system is also effective in detecting breast cancer in dense breast tissues, as it allows to see beyond the areas of density. The radiation exposure is also less than a 2D digital mammogram, which reduces the harm of radiation on the patient. Therefore, the 3D systems are anticipated to grow at a higher rate over the forecast period.

Based on Technology, the global market is bifurcated into breast tomosynthesis, cad, and digital mammography.

The digital mammography segment owns the highest market share and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 10.7% during the forecast period. The larger share is linked to the several benefits of digital mammography technology and its adoption by governments worldwide for breast cancer control programs. Digital mammography uses X-ray technology with digital sensors to examine breast tissue and detect the earliest possible stage of breast cancer. The results of digital mammography are available faster and can be viewed simultaneously as examining the patient. Digital mammography technology saves time, prevents discomfort, offers convenience, and uses low radiation to reduce further complications in patients. Thus the adoption of digital mammography technology will increase further, contributing to the growth of the mammography market over the forecast period.

Based on End-User, the global market is bifurcated into hospitals, specialty clinics, and diagnostic centers.

The hospital segment is leading with a substantial market share due to the penetration of hospitals worldwide and the frequent visits of patients for a primary checkup. Hospitals also provide mammography facilities due to various government initiatives for the welfare of their citizens. The symptoms of breast cancer are not different from other diseases, due to which the patients give a primary visit to the hospitals for further consultation. Thus, hospitals have started to provide screening and testing facilities for breast cancer for timely detection and increasing patient convenience, which are majorly provided in large hospitals in urban regions.

Recent Developments

• April 2022- GE Healthcare and Unilabs initiated the partnership for Portugal's radiology equipment and imaging services. Unilabs agreed to a partnership with GE Healthcare to provide advanced digital technology such as MRIs, CT scans, mammography, and X-ray machines in Portugal.
• March 2022- Hologic Inc launched an innovation center in France, which will work as the French headquarters of the company and expand in the European region with new innovative products.