Hologic’s SmartCurve Device makes mammography comfortable and less painful for women

Hologic today commercially launched its SmartCurve breast stabilization system, that makes mammography experience less painful for women without compromising on image quality and diagnostic accuracy.

SmartCurve breast stabilization system is compatible with FDA approved Hologic's Genius™ 3D Mammography™ exam, which detects cancers at early stage, reduces false positive results in normal and dense breast.

Women are afraid of getting a mammogram because of pain and discomfort associated with the procedure as the breast are compressed during the procedure. A recent survey of 10,000 women reported that fear of physical discomfort was the number one reason cited for avoiding the annual examination. 

Pain felt during the procedure depends upon the time spent undergoing compression and distribution of the pressure applied. While, time spent is not modifiable, the pressure distribution can be modified. 

The team of engineers at Hologic precisely worked upon distributing the pressure in a smart way to lessen the pain.

The SmartCurve system features a proprietary curved surface that mirrors the shape of a woman's breast to reduce pinching and allow better distribution of force over the entire breast. The system is equipped with image processing algorithms that ensures that quality of image is not compromised.

In a clinical study, 93% women reported that using the new system lessened the pain and discomfort as compared to the traditional flat paddle compression. The system can accommodate a variety of breast sizes can be paired with Hologic's MammoPad® breast cushion for even greater comfort. 

Ninety-five percent of women in the same study said they would recommend it to others.

The new system is also radiologist and technologist friendly and does not affect the workflow and ensures that efficacy is maintained in busy environment.

Pete Valenti, Hologic's Division President, Breast and Skeletal Health Solutions said, "Hologic is the world leader in breast cancer screening technology, and with that leadership comes a responsibility to develop products that provide optimal patient satisfaction without sacrificing clinical performance. We are thrilled to introduce the new SmartCurve system which, when used with the Genius exam, is the first and only 3D mammography system that is clinically proven to deliver a more comfortable and more accurate mammogram, compared to 2D mammography alone. This game-changing product is yet another example of our dedication to innovation designed to meet the needs of our customers and their patients."

The SmartCurve system is available standard on Hologic's new 3Dimensions™ mammography system and as an enhancement option to existing Hologic Selenia® Dimensions® systems.

Here’s is singer Sheryl Crow speaking about her experience with SmartCurve system and just how she thinks SmartCurve can help women.

Hologic News Release.

FDA labels Hologic Genius 3D Tomosynthesis Mammography superior for visualization of dense breasts

Hologic, a leading global healthcare and diagnostics company continues to expand its Breast Health portfolio through continued innovation and product development. As a breakthrough, FDA recently approved its Genius 3D Tomosynthesis Mammography as the only test superior to 2D mammography for routine breast cancer screening.

The Genius exams is available to public since 2011, but the newly approved labeling comes in wake of results of clinical studies showing “the exam improves invasive breast cancer detection while reducing unnecessary recalls among women of all breast densities, including those with dense breasts,” according to press release by Hologic.

To find out who offers Genius 3D mammography in your area in USA, click here. 

Among women between the age of 40 to 74 years, nearly 40% to 50% have dense breast. Dense breast also increases the likelihood of developing cancer by 5 to 6 times as compared to women with normal breast density.  Often the cancers are detected very late in women with dense tissue because of imaging difficulty.

Density of breast is a measure of amount of fibrous or glandular tissue in breast and can only be identified by imaging techniques. To make patients aware about it, 31 states in US requires notification to be sent to patients after a mammogram.

"Radiologists and referring physicians needed an answer for how to screen the roughly half of women with dense breasts, because until now, this patient population was confused and frustrated without a clear path forward," said Pete Valenti, Hologic's Division President, Breast and Skeletal Health Solutions. "We are pleased today to provide this definitive guidance from the FDA that the Genius exam is a superior screening solution for women with dense breasts. This is yet another reason referring physicians can feel confident in recommending Hologic's Genius exam."

Although Conventional 2D mammography is currently the gold standard, it has limitations in women with dense breast because the dense tissue can overlay on top of each other and potentially hide small cancers.

The main advantage of 3D tomosynthesis is it can clearly delineate the underlying breast tissue, irrespective of breast density.  This enables the diagnosis at very early stage and reduces false positives results, thereby avoiding unnecessary biopsy.  

It is also a method of choice in women who are at high risk for developing cancer or women who are referred for breast lump.

Another screening modality for women with dense breast is Innovative Breast Ultrasound system: the Invenia Automated Breast Ultrasound System(ABUS).

To get information on personalized breast screening click here 

Here is a video by Hologic about how Genius 3D mammography is performed.