Singapore, Apr 22, 2009: The markets for breast cancer detection and therapy devices in the Europe and Asia-Pacific regions approached $900 million in 2008 and are growing at an annual rate of 8.1 percent, according to a new report by Life Science Intelligence (LSI). The report, named, 2009 Breast Disease Diagnosis & Therapy Markets: Europe & Asia-Pacific details how growth is most robust in Asia, where total device sales are expected to grow by 14.7 percent annually and reach $675 million by 2014.

According to LSI, while Western Europe has a mature market for breast cancer detection and therapeutic products, Eastern and Southern Europe, as well as most of Asia, are expected to present significant opportunities due to the adoption of the Western lifestyle driving the incidence of breast cancer and the rising standard of living increasing healthcare expenditures.

This report is said to analyze the markets for breast care detection devices, including products used for: mammography, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), breast-specific gamma imaging (BSGI), and other high-end contrast-based imaging systems. Furthermore, interventional breast care devices are covered, including the family of biopsy tools (vacuum-assisted, spring-loaded, and large-volume) and minimally invasive breast brachytherapy products.

Although breast cancer is the most common cancer in women, it can be a curable disease, with early detection as the key to survival. Certain companies are already said to have recognized US and Western Europe opportunities and are planning to modify their offerings to the emerging markets of Europe and Asia, where competition will arise from suppliers of low-cost and refurbished systems.