Europe Mammography Market Assessment, By Product, By Technology, By Type, By End-user, By Region, Opportunities and Forecast, 2017-2031F

Europe mammography market is projected to witness a CAGR of 8.21% during the forecast period 2024-2031, growing from USD 849.70 million in 2023 to USD 1,597.37 million in 2031. Europe mammography market is driven by several factors, which include increasing awareness of breast cancer, advancements in imaging technology, rising incidence of breast cancer, government initiatives and screening programs, growing healthcare expenditure, expanding healthcare infrastructure, higher disposable incomes, emphasis on preventive healthcare, integration of AI and machine learning, and enhanced public health campaigns. These factors collectively boost the demand for advanced imaging technologies and enhance accessibility, fueling the dynamic growth and evolution of the European mammography market.

Mammography is essential for early detection of breast cancer, which has a direct impact on patient outcomes due to new imaging techniques. Breast mammography is a diagnostic tool that produces comprehensive images of the breast to help doctors identify cancers and tumors. Due to technological advancements in the healthcare sector, companies are trying to do their research on the ongoing development of mammography. Rising government initiatives and increased awareness of the importance of early disease detection are driving the mammography industry in Europe, which is supported by Europe's Beating Cancer Plan and aims to enhance screening efforts and ensure that by 2025, 90% of the eligible population will have access to mammography services. These combined efforts are expected to drive market growth and improve early detection and treatment of breast cancer across the region.

Technologically Advanced Systems Drive Market Growth

Advanced imaging technology has revolutionized the detection of breast cancer by modifying Mammography. These advanced imaging technologies digitally produce images with better contrast and sharpness than traditional film-based methods. This helps in enhanced visualization of pathology. Electronic image acquisition in digital technology produces images with enhanced clarity and contrast compared to traditional film-based methods, which helps display abnormalities. Moreover, AI algorithms review mammograms are reviewed by AI algorithms, which can detect subtle abnormalities not easily seen otherwise. Better imaging technologies also provide results with better accuracy and can detect cancer at early stages, which is crucial for an effective treatment. Although there are still some gaps in adoption, these technologies are critical for changing mammography practice with the perspective of saving lives and limiting the burden breast cancer places on healthcare systems.

For instance, Lunit Inc.'s AI-powered mammography analysis solution, Lunit INSIGHT MMG, has been validated for its effectiveness in standalone breast cancer detection. A study by the University of Southern Denmark compared the AI system's performance to that of first-reading breast radiologists across an entire screening population. The study's key findings revealed that when the cut-off score for Lunit INSIGHT MMG was aligned with the mean specificity of the first reader (its ability to correctly identify cancer-free exams), there was no statistically significant difference in overall accuracy compared to that of radiologists.

Increasing Incidences of Breast Cancer

Breast cancer is the most common malignancy among women in Europe, with very high morbidity and mortality. It accounts for the largest number of cancer deaths among European women, and hence, it requires urgent consideration. The disease varies widely in terms of the age at its onset. Younger women suffer from more aggressive forms and poor prognosis. This places a huge burden on many women in the prime years of work and family raising, creating an increased demand for cancer screening. This has led several breast cancer organizations to work on making mammography accessible to all European women across different regions as it remains the most effective means of detecting early breast cancer. Mammography significantly improves survival rates by identifying cancer long before it becomes palpable. Therefore, improving accessibility to screening can reduce mortality from this disease.

For instance, EUROPA DONNA, which is a European breast cancer coalition, estimated that around 20% of breast cancers develop in women who are below the age of 50. On the other hand, 33% occurred between the ages of 50 to 64 years, and the rest were above 64 years. For EU-27, the estimation for the incidence of breast cancer is 375,000 cases per year in 2022. Not only this but one in every eleven women will develop breast cancer before achieving 74 years of age in the EU-27.

Breast Tomosynthesis Segment to Hold Major Market Share

Breast tomosynthesis has been identified as a leading segment that is fueling the mammography market in Europe, being driven by its advanced image capacity. A 3D mammography, also known as tomosynthesis, provides a kind of cross-sectional view, which helps in finding hidden abnormalities typically invisible through standard or traditional two-dimensional images. It produces high-resolution slices of the breast, increasing diagnostic accuracy and decreasing false positives. By reducing overlapping tissue, breast tomosynthesis also has the potential to assist in a reduction of additional follow-up exams that are often needed after an initial mammogram and may help lower patient anxiety as well as healthcare costs. The adoption of breast tomosynthesis in Europe is due to the region's advanced healthcare infrastructure. It has one of the healthiest health systems focusing on early detection and advanced imaging technologies. Radiologists are increasingly adopting this technique, which provides low-dose images of a patient's breast taken from several angles to eliminate tissue overlap and improve visualization capabilities. This helps in the probability of discovering breast lesions to a greater extent, which makes it more commonly accepted by healthcare professionals.

For instance, in December 2022, breast cancer screening recommendations in the European Union underwent significant changes, emphasizing the adoption of advanced imaging technologies. The European council updated article 168 to promote the widespread use of digital breast tomosynthesis (DBT) for all breast cancer screenings. The European Commission Initiative on Breast Cancer and the European Council are working to increase access to DBT across Europe. DBT has demonstrated the ability to detect up to 65% more invasive cancers compared to 2D mammograms alone and offers reduced false positive rates compared to full-field digital mammography.

Germany Dominates the Mammography Market

Germany has become a favorable growth-boosting region due to numerous factors, which contribute positively to the mammography market. This country contributes a lot to the use of advanced diagnostic technologies, which can be attributed to well-established healthcare infrastructure, the most significant being widespread telepresence solutions in hospitals as an add-on, over-populated lobbying hospital clinic included. Growing awareness and spurt in healthcare expenditure within these urban areas register demand for cutting-edge imaging technologies. Moreover, the public health efforts and government rule in Germany have reinforced on screening of mammography to detect breast cancer early. The existence of established medical healthcare facilities and specialized centers also adds to the market stronghold in this region. Increasing disposable incomes and awareness levels will further boost sales of mammography services. This, coupled with strong healthcare policy and medical technology investment in the region, is facilitating a large mammography market.

For instance, the Kooperationsgemeinschaft Mammographie GbR conducts 'German Mammography Screening Programme', every year, which has offered biennial mammography screenings to approximately 11 million women aged 50 to 69. Funded by both statutory and private health insurance funds, the screening services are provided at no cost to the women, although exceptions might apply based on specific private insurance contracts. The primary goal of the program is to identify breast cancer at its earliest stage, enabling more effective treatment and improving recovery chances.

Future Market Scenario (2024 - 2031F)

Advanced imaging technologies like AI and 3D mammography are probably one of the key innovations that will drive the European mammography market. Accurate diagnosis is enhanced by the detailed examination of mammography images and the capability to identify minute alterations that would otherwise go unnoticed in healthcare practices. This integration of AI ensures the earlier and more accurate detection of breast cancer along with superior patient outcomes with considerably fewer unnecessary repeat procedures. 3D mammography provides a better three-dimensional image of the breast tissue compared to the standard two-dimensional view, without overlapping from tissue, and consequently enhances the clarity of images. This new capability can aid in the earlier detection of tumors, decreasing the rates of false positives and negatives. The greater availability of the infrastructure and lower cost will bring modern screenings within easy reach for more providers across Europe. Apart from increasing the screening rate, better diagnostic capabilities are also expected to attract more public and private investment.

For instance, in April 2024, A team of Danish and Dutch researchers integrated an AI diagnostic tool with a mammographic texture model to enhance the evaluation of both short- and long-term breast cancer risk. This innovative approach marks a significant advancement in refining the prediction of breast cancer risk complexities.

Key Players Landscape and Outlook

The Europe mammography market is quite competitive with a major number of players at local levels as well. Companies frequently pursue regulatory approvals to ensure their products meet stringent standards, which helps build credibility and trust. Additionally, mergers and acquisitions are common as firms seek to expand their market reach and capabilities. Collaborations between companies and healthcare institutions are also prevalent, facilitating the development of innovative solutions and enhancing access to advanced diagnostic technologies.

In July 2024, Hologic, Inc., a global leader in women's health, completed its acquisition of Endomagnetics Ltd (Endomag), a UK-based company specializing in breast cancer surgery technologies. The deal, valued at approximately USD 310 million, aligns with Hologic's strategy to expand its portfolio in breast cancer care. Endomag's innovative technologies will enhance Hologic's offerings in this critical area.

In September 2023, at the annual congress of the European Society of Breast Imaging, Siemens Healthineers AG introduced the Mammomat B. brilliant, a cutting-edge mammography system featuring wide-angle tomosynthesis. This system utilizes a tube that moves around the breast at a wide 50° angle-the largest angle available on the market. Combined with an exceptionally fast scan time of approximately five seconds, it offers the quickest wide-angle tomosynthesis available, delivering high-resolution 3D images with remarkable depth resolution in the shortest time possible.