MARLBOROUGH, Mass.,
Aug. 1, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Hologic
Inc. (Nasdaq: HOLX) announced today that new guidelines published
by the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) recommend that
physicians consider breast tomosynthesis exams as an option for
their patients' annual breast cancer screening.1
The NCCN Guidelines, published in "NCCN Clinical Practice
Guidelines in Oncology: Breast Cancer Screening and Diagnosis" are
developed and updated by an impartial, physician-led group
consisting of 48 individual panels and comprising over 1,150
clinicians and oncology researchers from the 27 NCCN member
institutions. These panel members are multidisciplinary,
disease-specific specialists who are both clinicians and
researchers, and who understand the entire patient pathway,
screening through treatment.
"As a practicing radiologist at an NCCN Member Institution, I'm
well aware of the confusion on the part of patients and referring
physicians over the best option for screening mammography," said
Elizabeth Morris, M.D., Chief,
Breast Imaging Service at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center.
"Physicians around the globe use guidelines, like these published
by NCCN, to make appropriate recommendations for their patients'
care. With these in hand, referring physicians should feel more
comfortable advising their patients that breast tomosynthesis is a
trusted option for their annual breast cancer screening."
The NCCN Guidelines call attention to the significant body of
literature that demonstrates that Hologic's breast tomosynthesis
exam, the Genius™ 3D MAMMOGRAPHY™ exam, is a more accurate way to
screen for breast cancer.2,3 The guidelines, which were
approved with uniform consensus (Category 2A), state that
"multiple studies show a combined use of digital mammography
and tomosynthesis appears to improve cancer detection and
decreased call back rates. Of note, most studies used double the
dose of radiation. The radiation dose can be minimized by synthetic
2-D reconstruction."1
"Including 3D MAMMOGRAPHY™ exams as a valid mammography option
for breast cancer screening is yet another confirmation of the
widespread agreement among radiologists and the research literature
that this screening modality increases invasive cancer detection
and reduces unnecessary patient callbacks," said Pete Valenti, Hologic's Division President,
Breast and Skeletal Health Solutions. "Despite the strong adoption
of this technology by healthcare providers, some insurance
companies have refused to cover and pay for this superior screening
modality in full, citing a lack of guidance and supporting
research. That position is no longer valid since many
insurers, including the national payers, reference NCCN guidelines
in their coverage policies. We implore any major insurance company
that has been reticent to provide full coverage for 3D™ exams to
reconsider their position based on the new guidelines and provide
the patients they cover with access to a more accurate
mammogram."
Genius™ 3D MAMMOGRAPHY™ exams have been available in the U.S.
since 2011, and are only available on the Hologic Selenia®
Dimensions® mammography system. In 2015, an estimated 10 million
women in the U.S. benefited from a Genius™ exam. Additional
information, as well as a locator to find imaging sites offering
the exams, can be found at http://mygenius3d.com.
About Hologic
Hologic, Inc. is a leading developer,
manufacturer and supplier of premium diagnostic products, medical
imaging systems and surgical products. The Company's core business
units focus on diagnostics, breast health, GYN surgical and
skeletal health. With a unified suite of technologies and a robust
research and development program, Hologic is dedicated to The
Science of Sure. For more information on Hologic, visit
www.hologic.com.
Hologic, 3D, 3D Mammography, Dimensions, Genius, Selenia, and
the Science of Sure are trademarks and/or registered trademarks of
Hologic, Inc., and/or its subsidiaries in the United States and/or other countries.
About the National Comprehensive Cancer Network
The
National Comprehensive Cancer Network®
(NCCN®), a not-for-profit alliance of 27 of the world's
leading cancer centers, is dedicated to improving the quality and
effectiveness of care provided to patients with cancer. Through the
leadership and expertise of clinical professionals at NCCN Member
Institutions, NCCN develops resources that present valuable
information to the numerous stakeholders in the health care
delivery system. As the arbiter of high-quality cancer care, NCCN
promotes the importance of continuous quality improvement and
recognizes the significance of creating clinical practice
guidelines appropriate for use by patients, clinicians, and other
health care decision-makers. The primary goal of all NCCN
initiatives is to improve the quality, effectiveness, and
efficiency of oncology practice so patients can live better lives.
For more information, visit NCCN.org.
Forward-Looking Statements
This news release may
contain forward-looking information that involves risks and
uncertainties, including statements about the use of Hologic
mammography systems. There can be no assurance the systems will
achieve the benefits described here, or that such benefits will be
replicated in any particular manner with respect to an individual
patient. The actual effect of the use of the systems can only be
determined on a case-by-case basis depending on the particular
circumstances and patient in question. In addition, there can be no
assurance that the systems will achieve any expected level of sales
or market share. Hologic expressly disclaims any obligation to
release publicly any updates to the data or statements presented
here to reflect any change in the Company's expectations or any
change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any such
data or statements are based.
Media Contact:
Jane
Mazur
508.263.8764 (direct)
585.355.5978 (mobile)
jane.mazur@hologic.com
Investor Contact:
Michael
Watts
858.410.8588
michael.watts@hologic.com
1 NCCN: NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines for Breast
Cancer Screening and Diagnosis (Version 1.2016) © 2016 National
Comprehensive Cancer Network, Inc. Available at
https://www.nccn.org/professionals/physician_gls/f_guidelines.asp#breast.
2 Versus 2D Mammography alone
3 Friedewald SM, Rafferty EA, Rose SL, et al. Breast
cancer screening using tomosynthesis in combination with digital
mammography. JAMA. 2014;311(24):2499-2507.
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SOURCE Hologic, Inc.