News | Breast Imaging | January 26, 2017

MBI to provide early detection and increased breast cancer diagnosis for women with dense breast tissue and whose cancers weren’t detected by a routine mammogram

Gamma Medica, LumaGEM molecular breast imaging system, MBI technology, Major Health Partners Indiana

January 26, 2017 — Gamma Medica recently announced that through its collaboration with Ohio-based Alpha Imaging, Indiana-based Major Health Partners (MHP) has purchased and installed Gamma Medica’s LumaGEM molecular breast imaging (MBI) system. It is the state’s first LumaGEM and the hospital’s first MBI.

The MBI technology will be offered as a secondary screening and diagnostic tool following mammography, particularly for women with dense breast tissue. The system will enhance early breast cancer detection for women who face a greater risk of breast cancer.

Breast cancer is one of the leading causes of death in women, causing approximately 40,000 annual deaths in the United States alone. More than 40 percent of U.S. women have dense breast tissue, which both increases the risk of developing breast cancer and decreases the visibility of a cancer on conventional mammograms. Until undergoing their first mammogram, most women are unaware of the condition and may not fully understand its potential significance. 

Designed for dense breast tissue, MBI technology significantly improves early detection of breast cancer in women with dense breast tissue. The technology has proven to be as effective, or more, as a secondary screening method compared to full-field ultrasound or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with far fewer false positives. Clinical research shows use of LumaGEM MBI reduces the need for tissue biopsies by 50 percent compared to other modalities. MBI is also more comfortable and better tolerated by most patients than conventional mammography or MRI.

“Alpha Imaging is pleased to have the LumaGEM MBI system in our portfolio,” said Mike Colaiacovo, VP of sales at Alpha Imaging. “Coupled with breast tomosynthesis, MBI allows us to provide a more comprehensive solution to our clients. It’s one more advancement in early detection of breast cancer.”

“The Mayo Clinic and others have shown the utility of MBI for both supplemental screening for breast cancer with underlying dense breast tissue and diagnostic problem-solving in breast healthcare,” said Scott Miller, M.D., radiologist at MHP. “We consider MBI to be an integral component of breast cancer diagnosis, and we were impressed by the data documenting a significant increase in cancer detection rates through use of the LumaGEM MBI system.”

A retrospective study that was published in the American Journal of Roentgenology’s August 2016 issue monitored over 1,700 women with dense breast tissue over a three-year period. The study confirmed LumaGEM’s additional cancer detection rate of 7.7 cancers per thousand, an increase from 3 cancers per thousand with mammography alone. The study also concluded that of the additional breast cancers found, approximately 85 percent of these cancers were node negative, indicating they were detected at an early stage and therefore presented a better prognosis.

To educate women about the importance of MBI and breast density, Gamma Medica launched the Be Certain campaign, which aims to give physicians and women access to the most accurate clinical information on breast density and breast cancer detection. In addition to education, Gamma Medica is committed to increasing the number of accurate early breast cancer screenings through installations at major facilities.

For more information: www.gammamedica.com


Related Content

News | Breast Imaging

July 8, 2025 — QT Imaging Holdings, has appointed Elaine Iuanow, MD, as chief medical officer (CMO) and Kim Du as senior ...

Time July 09, 2025
arrow
News | Breast Imaging

July 7, 2025 — SimonMed Imaging, one of the largest outpatient medical imaging providers in the United States, has ...

Time July 08, 2025
arrow
News | Breast Imaging

June 25, 2025 — QT Imaging Holdings, Inc., a medical device company engaged in research, development, and ...

Time June 25, 2025
arrow
News | Women's Health

June 23, 2025 — Susan G. Komen, the world’s leading breast cancer organization, recently announced it is awarding $10.8 ...

Time June 23, 2025
arrow
Feature | Women's Health | Christine Murray

In breast cancer detection, speed and accuracy are more than clinical goals – they can significantly increase chances ...

Time June 17, 2025
arrow
News | PET Imaging

May 30, 2025 — GE HealthCare recently announced that the NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology (NCCN Guidelines) ...

Time May 30, 2025
arrow
News | Imaging Software Development

May 27, 2025 — DeepLook Medical, a company advancing medical imaging through visual enhancement technology, recently ...

Time May 28, 2025
arrow
News | Nuclear Imaging

May 5, 2025 — GE HealthCare recently announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) granted 510(k) clearance ...

Time May 06, 2025
arrow
News | Mammography

April 29, 2025 — iCAD, a global provider of clinically proven AI-powered cancer detection solutions, has announced a ...

Time April 29, 2025
arrow
News | Mammography

April 24, 2025 — GE HealthCare will feature its latest advancements in diagnostic accuracy and patient-centered breast ...

Time April 24, 2025
arrow
Subscribe Now