While most women understand the importance of health screenings, an estimated 72 million have missed or postponed a recommended screening in the U.S.1 Anxiety, discomfort and health equity disparities are potential reasons patients might avoid or delay their mammograms.⁸ To address these challenges, facilities should invest in advanced technology like Hologic’s cutting-edge 3D™ mammograms, which provide exceptional image quality for fast and accurate diagnosis.2 Hologic’s new Envision™ mammography platform is the latest innovation engineered to address the challenges impacting screening compliance, setting a new standard for the future of mammography.
Reducing Screening Anxiety
Ultimately, patients want to know they are receiving top-quality imaging, and that’s what the Envision platform delivers. With industry-leading image quality, the next-generation Envision mammography platform offers Hologic’s sharpest, fastest high-resolution imaging yet.3,4,5,6* This new proprietary 3D imaging pathway features Focusing Technology. This first FDA approved mammography innovation of its kind2 powers the new high-speed 3D™ exam, acquired in a remarkable 2.5 seconds for all breast thicknesses without increasing dose.7 Additionally, the new patented technology enhances the detection of subtle objects, minimizes focal spot blur, and improves 3D™ image sharpness.3,4 Plus, the Envision platform offers an integrated AI detection assistant.**
Patients commonly experience anxiety during breast screenings.8 Fortunately, Hologic’s newest 3D™ mammography platform was designed to address anxiety by making the process faster and more comfortable.*** The Envision mammography platform's 2.5 second 3D scan time is the fastest scan time on the market and up to 10 times faster than some competitors.9 It’s simple: less time under compression while being screened may correlate to less time to feel anxious.
Enhancing comfort can also make mammograms feel less intimidating, providing patients with greater peace of mind. The Envision platform comes standard with the SmartCurve® Breast Stabilization System, which is clinically proven to deliver a more comfortable mammogram compared to standard compression.10 Furthermore, 89% of patients report they were equally or more comfortable having their mammogram on the Envision platform compared to their prior mammogram experience.11
Patients also want reassurance that their screening is thorough and accurate. Better patient positioning, and other technologist-associated factors, are linked to earlier stages of diagnosis.12 However, ACR reports positioning is the leading deficiency in mammography, highlighting the need for advanced tools to address this issue.13 Enter the Envision platform. The platform’s tilt technology enhances how patients are positioned during the scan, making it more likely to capture breast tissue – an average of 1.3 cm more than without tilt positioning.14** Since you cannot detect what you cannot see in mammography, even small amounts of additional tissue could make a significant difference in image interpretation.
Accessibility in Mammography
One aspect of breast screening that isn’t always discussed: 10-15% of the patient population has limitations that can lead to sub-optimal imaging.15 Screening cannot be a one-size-fits-all process. The Envision platform is designed to adapt to each patient’s unique needs, rather than requiring patients to conform. This is vital for ensuring all patients, regardless of their physical abilities, receive high-quality imaging.
Equity disparities in breast screenings are a significant concern that complicates patient care. Screening mammography compliance rates are notably lower among populations facing positioning challenges.16 For instance, compliance is 47% lower among women who use wheelchairs compared to those without mobility limitations.16 This gap may highlight the need for equipment that can accommodate a diverse range of patients.
The Envision platform’s tilt positioning is designed to adapt to the unique contours of each patient, offering possibly life-saving diagnoses for those who have historically been left behind. This includes patients with kyphosis, frozen shoulders, or wheelchair users, enhancing accessibility features for all individuals in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA.) This capability may help improve positioning accuracy for patients with limited mobility, who constitute approximately 14% of the overall screening patient population.17
Communication barriers may also impact the screening experience and potentially deter patients. Technologists cite that the challenges encountered when positioning a patient who speaks a different language add 8-10 minutes to their screening mammogram.18Fortunately, the Envision system was designed with inclusivity in mind. The platform features optional audible breathing prompts in 15 languages.
By addressing equity disparities, the Envision platform may not only improve screening access for a broader range of patients but it also positions the facility as a forward-thinking, inclusive provider.
Imagine a breast screening experience where anxiety melts away, and every woman feels seen and valued. That’s where the latest advancements in mammography are headed. Reducing anxiety and discomfort can not only make each visit more pleasant but may also encourage patients to return for regular screenings. Improved accessibility means more women can participate, potentially boosting patient turnout.
When patients have a great experience, they don’t just leave satisfied, they often become advocates. Happy patients share their positive experiences with friends and family, which is especially important for women, who make the key healthcare decisions within their households.19 This word-of-mouth can potentially lead to better reviews, increased loyalty, and a stronger reputation for their health center.
Consider upgrading to the new Envision breast screening platform to elevate patient care. This cutting-edge, high-resolution screening platform with integrated Genius AI® Detection assistant is designed to complement and enhance your existing imaging ecosystem for better outcomes for everyone, from patients to technologists to radiologists.**
Investing in innovative healthcare technology isn’t just about staying current; it’s about setting a new standard in patient care and satisfaction.
For more information on the Envision platform, please visit www.hologic.com
ADS-04282 Rev. 001 Hologic, Inc. ® 2024 All rights reserved. Hologic, 3D, Envision, SmartCurve, The Science of Sure and associated logos are trademarks and/or registered trademarks of Hologic, Inc., and/or its subsidiaries in the United States and/or other countries. This information is intended for medical professionals in the U.S. and other markets and is not intended as a product solicitation or promotion where such activities are prohibited. Because Hologic materials are distributed through websites, eBroadcasts and tradeshows, it is not always possible to control where such materials appear. For specific information on what products are for sale in a particular country, please contact your local Hologic representative.
1. https://hologic.womenshealthindex.com/sites/default/files/2024-01/MISC09031_HGWHI_Y3GlobalReport_Final_Digital.pdf
2. FDA PMA Approval P080003/S009, 2024
3. Hologic data on file: DHM-16158
4. Hologic data on file: DHM-14517
5. Hologic data on file: VER-12082
6. WP-00300 Improving Tomosynthesis Image Quality using Advanced X-ray Technologies
7. Hologic data on file: DHM-13391
8. Vidya R Pai, Murray Rebner, How to Minimize Patient Anxiety From Screening Mammography, Journal of Breast Imaging, Volume 3, Issue 5, September/October 2021, Pages 603–606, https://doi.org/10.1093/jbi/wbab057
9. Competitor publications
10. Smith, A. Improving Patient Comfort in Mammography. Hologic WP-00119 Rev 003 (2017).
11. Hologic data on file: DHM-16430
12. Literature on file.
13. Pal, S.,Ikeda, D., et al. Improving Performance of Mammographic Breast Postioning in an Academic Radiology Practice, American Journal of Radiology, Volume 210, Issue 4, February 2018 https://ajronline.org/doi/full/10.2214/AJR.17.18212
14. Based on an internal survey of 58 Patients and 7 Technologists. Inspired Health, November 2023. Unpublished internal Hologic data on file.
15. Miller, Louise C. What Every Mammography Technologist Would Like Their Radiologist To Know About: Our Patients, The Member Newsletter of the Society of Breast Imaging, https://mammographyeducation.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/SBI-ARTICLE_MILLER-.pdf
16. Olsen, Julia, Scott Pohlman, and Jason Shames. “HSR24-155: Disparities in Real-World Screening Mammography Compliance Rates by Body Mass Index and Mobility-Restricting Diagnosis—A Commercial Claims-Based Analysis,” Journal of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network 22, 2.5 (2024), HSR24-155, accessed Jun 24, 2024, https://doi.org/10.6004/jnccn.2023.7168
17. Agaronnik, N. D., El-Jawahri, A., & Iezzoni, L. I. (2022). Implications of Physical Access Barriers for Breast Cancer Diagnosis and Treatment in Women With Mobility Disability. Journal of Disability Policy Studies, 33(1), 46-54. https://doi.org/10.1177/10442073211010124
18. Based on an internal survey of 152 Radiologists, 77 Technologists, and 39 Executive Leaders from imaging centers across the United States. Inspired Health, May 2024. Unpublished internal Hologic data on file.
19. Matoff-Stepp S, Applebaum B, Pooler J, Kavanagh E. Women as health care decision-makers: implications for health care coverage in the United States. J Health Care Poor Underserved. 2014 Nov;25(4):1507-13. doi: 10.1353/hpu.2014.0154. PMID: 25418222.
*Compared to 3Dimensions system and ClarityHD+ imaging.
**Genius AI Detection 2.0 is pending 510k clearance with the U.S. FDA. Not available for sale.
***Compared to prior Hologic systems.
July 17, 2024 
