Hologic, Bayer Team Up for Contrast-Enhanced Mammography

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), there were 2.3 million women diagnosed with breast cancer as well as 685,000 deaths globally. Fortunately, when the disease is spotted early, treatment for breast cancer can be quite effective.
 
Contrast-enhanced mammography (CEM) could offer a tool for early breast cancer diagnosis. The CEM breast imaging modality aims to enhance digital mammography with a contrast agent.
 
To spread this opportunity, Hologic and Bayer began an international partnership with the aim to deliver CEM to women in countries across the European, Canadian, and Asia Pacific regions.
 
The collaboration combines Hologic’s mammography gantries with Bayer’s CEM-approved injection systems, so contrast media can be administered during a mammogram. The pair said they will offer hands-on training to clinicans for the new product package, in order to help thm effectively implement CEM into facility workflows. The duo believe CEM can be performed as part of an everyday clinical practice, used to reevaluate inconclusive findings from previous imaging procedures, or preoperatively evaluate the extent of the patient’s breast cancer.
 
They also hope it could be a useful tool when magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is unavailable or contraindicated.
 
“Over the past several years, we’ve seen an increased interest in contrast-enhanced mammography as an additional diagnostic modality. Our partnership with Bayer will enable clinicians around the world to offer CEM as part of the breast cancer diagnostic workflow,” Tanja Brycker, Hologic’s VP of strategic development for Breast and Skeletal Health and GYN Solutions, told the press. “As one of the world leaders in mammography and women’s health, we are committed to enabling healthier lives everywhere, every day. By increasing access to additional breast imaging technology to women across the globe, our international partnership with Bayer is a compelling example of that commitment in action.”
 
“Breast cancer is the world’s most prevalent cancer, impacting millions of women and their loved ones around the globe,” added Gerd Krueger, Bayer’s president of Radiology. “Accurate and timely detection is crucial to improve patient outcomes and save patients’ lives. We are excited to join forces with Hologic to deliver a comprehensive solution to our customers and increase access to an emerging breast imaging modality that can help improve diagnostic accuracy as well as provide an alternative imaging option for many women who need it.”