A mammography exam from Hologic, Inc., based in Marlborough, is the only mammogram with “superior to standard” federal approval for screening in women with dense breasts, the company announced Tuesday.
Although the Genius 3D Mammography exam, as its called, has been commercially available since 2011, it received the newly approved physician labeling after clinical studies found that it improves invasive breast cancer detection while reducing unnecessary recalls among women with all breast densities.
Women whose breasts are dense, meaning they have more fibrous or glandular tissue than others, usually require additional imaging, which can result in unnecessary costs and anxiety among patients, according to Hologic. About 40 to 50 percent of women ages 40 to 74 have dense breasts, according to the company.
