New Mammography System Offers Breast Stabilization

A new mammography system that uses breast stabilization can deliver a mammogram with the same image quality and radiation dose as conventional systems, without the physical discomfort of breast compression.

The new system, now commercially available, was reported to improve the comfort of 93% of women undergoing a mammography exam, according to a recent survey.

The new SmartCurve breast stabilization system was developed by Hologic (Bedford, MA, USA) and is intended for use with the company’s Genius 3D Mammography system. The Genius 3D was US FDA approved as superior to conventional 2-D mammography, including for women with dense breasts.

The SmartCurve system features a special curved surface that reduces pinching and distributes the force over the whole breast. The system also uses image-processing algorithms, which preserve image accuracy and quality, by ensuring that positioning or workflow remain unchanged. The system can also accommodate most breast sizes.

The SmartCurve system is available as standard on the new Hologic 3Dimensions mammography system, and can also be added to Hologic’s Selenia Dimensions systems.

Global VP, Research and Development, at Hologic, Tracy Accardi, said, "As a woman, I know firsthand that all too often, annual mammograms are considered a necessary evil. We understand the critical role the exam plays in the early detection of breast cancer, but we know how uncomfortable, and sometimes even painful, the exam can be. The associated anxiety causes many women to avoid or delay this potentially life-saving exam, something we set out to change when developing the first-of-its-kind SmartCurve system."