Singapore: A study of the US breast imaging systems market by Frost and Sullivan finds that the market earned revenues of $1 billion in 2011 and expects this to reach $1.4 billion by 2016 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.8 percent. The anticipated growth is due to growing revenues in the X-ray mammography, breast ultrasound, breast magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and molecular breast imaging (MBI) market segments among others.

Fewer breast imaging facilities in the US, in addition to ongoing controversies surrounding breast cancer screening, has suppressed growth of the breast imaging systems market. However, Frost & Sullivan anticipates modest expansion, driven by the increasing demand for breast imaging equipment due to the growing prevalence of breast cancer, as well as increases in breast cancer surgery procedure volumes and supplemental screening exams prompted by new breast density reporting legislation.

Mr Roberto Aranibar, industry analyst, Frost & Sullivan, said that, "The number of breast imaging facilities in the US declined by nearly seven percent from 2002-to-2011, resulting in an even greater decline in the mammography system installed base. This had a significant impact on market growth, given its large dependency on system replacements."

Despite these previous declines in the market, the mammography system installed base and number of breast imaging facilities in the US appear to have begun stabilizing. New breast density notification laws, product regulatory approvals, and evolving breast cancer screening protocols are among the factors expected to drive increased replacements of mammography systems and expanded adoption of new breast imaging technologies.

Mr Aranibar said that, "Expanding breast density reporting laws are prompting increases in supplemental screening procedure volumes that, in turn, are creating a growing demand for newer technologies that improve diagnostic accuracy, while also increasing productivity. One such technology, automated breast ultrasound (ABUS), was recently approved for supplemental screening, and reimbursement for another such technology, breast tomosynthesis, is expected to become available soon."