Mammography surges in 2025 as U.S. breast imaging centers plan equipment upgrades

The U.S. breast imaging market is entering a phase of structural growth in 2025, marked by increased mammography procedures, evolving patient care priorities, and renewed investment in imaging technology. According to the 2025 Mammography and Breast Imaging Market Outlook Report released by IMV Medical Information Division—a part of Science and Medicine Group—nearly four out of five surveyed mammography professionals anticipate an increase in procedure volume this year.

The survey, conducted between January and March 2025, covered over 200 respondents from hospitals and imaging centers across the U.S., offering granular insights into facility-level strategies, equipment planning, and adoption of new technologies. These trends are accelerating just as U.S. healthcare providers shift toward patient-centric, value-based diagnostics in oncology.

Why Is the Demand for Mammography Increasing in 2025?

Rising incidence rates of breast cancer—including both invasive cases and ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS)—are directly impacting diagnostic imaging demand. The American Cancer Society estimates a multi-percentage-point increase in new breast cancer cases in 2025, which is translating into more patient referrals for early screening and follow-up imaging.

IMV’s findings indicate that over 60% of mammography procedures currently performed in the U.S. are diagnostic, with a growing share of centers integrating advanced modalities such as 3D mammography (digital breast tomosynthesis) and contrast-enhanced mammography (CEM). This procedural mix is redefining how imaging departments allocate resources, manage patient workflows, and plan capital expenditures.

Which Companies Are Dominating Breast Imaging Equipment Decisions?

The competitive landscape in the U.S. breast imaging equipment market continues to be led by Hologic, which remains the most considered Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) across all facility types. GE Healthcare and Siemens Healthineers follow as the second and third most referenced OEMs, respectively.

These rankings are shaped not only by brand legacy but also by the depth of each OEM’s portfolio in biopsy systems, imaging software, and AI integration. For instance, Hologic’s dominance is often attributed to its stronghold in tomosynthesis and biopsy systems, while GE’s offerings are praised for their interoperability and modularity.

Hospitals and imaging centers are not just focused on initial acquisition costs but are prioritizing service uptime, post-sale support, and compatibility with legacy PACS systems—especially as breast imaging becomes increasingly data-intensive.

How Are Facilities Planning Imaging Technology Investments in 2025?

The IMV report includes over 160 data-driven visuals spanning installed base metrics, procedure growth forecasts, and OEM market share. It reveals that facilities are entering a new replacement cycle, with older 2D mammography systems being phased out in favor of tomosynthesis-capable platforms.

Facilities performing higher volumes of diagnostic imaging are also investing in image-guided biopsy solutions and software that automates lesion detection and classification. This coincides with a trend toward multimodal diagnostics, where mammography, ultrasound, and MRI are being bundled to provide comprehensive diagnostic paths for high-risk patients.

Why Is Patient Satisfaction Now a Top Priority for Breast Imaging Departments?

One of the most notable insights from the report is the elevation of patient satisfaction to the highest departmental priority among respondents. Imaging centers are under pressure to deliver not only diagnostic accuracy but also comfort, accessibility, and efficiency.

This shift is a direct outcome of broader healthcare reforms and reimbursement models that reward quality and patient engagement. Facilities are thus investing in quieter, faster machines, improving scheduling systems, and reducing wait times for results. Comfort features like ergonomic compression paddles and calming room aesthetics are increasingly part of the equipment procurement criteria.

What Are Industry Analysts Saying About This Growth?

Analysts tracking the U.S. diagnostic imaging market see this procedural uptick as a multi-year trend, not a short-term anomaly. IMV’s Director of Market Intelligence, Davin Korstjens, observed that the anticipated growth in procedures is structurally aligned with demographic trends—particularly population aging and increased awareness of preventive care.

Healthcare investment analysts view this trend as supportive of sustained capital expenditure by hospital networks, with spillover effects across hardware, software, and maintenance service providers. Some institutional investors are focusing on the broader implications for AI in imaging diagnostics, as more facilities adopt intelligent systems to triage, classify, and report imaging data at scale.

How Are Investors and Strategic Buyers Responding?

While OEM stocks like Hologic and Siemens Healthineers have historically been stable performers, buy-side sentiment is gradually shifting toward niche software developers and service enablers in the imaging value chain.

Venture capital firms and private equity investors are showing interest in outpatient imaging networks, which benefit from higher patient throughput and faster adoption cycles. IMV’s report has been cited in several strategic due diligence efforts related to consolidation in the diagnostic imaging space, particularly in metropolitan and suburban areas with rising population density.

The facility-level purchasing intent data through 2026 provided in the report is already being used to model revenue growth trajectories for AI imaging vendors and biopsy system manufacturers.

What Will Shape the Next Phase of Imaging Innovation?

Looking ahead, IMV’s data signals a continued shift toward comprehensive, multimodal breast imaging ecosystems. Equipment vendors will likely face mounting pressure to integrate AI, cloud-based reporting, and interoperability with electronic health records (EHRs) as standard features.

The report projects heightened interest in tomosynthesis-enabled systems, particularly in regional medical centers and diagnostic chains aiming to offer premium services with faster ROI. Additionally, hospitals are expected to increase cross-functional investments that link radiology with oncology care teams for integrated patient management.

Facilities are also evaluating third-party service providers more aggressively, reflecting cost pressures and a desire for flexible service-level agreements. These service trends—particularly in biopsy and preventive screening—will likely influence competitive dynamics among OEMs and aftermarket providers over the next 12–18 months.

As the U.S. diagnostic imaging sector continues to recalibrate post-pandemic, breast imaging has emerged as a focal point of both operational necessity and strategic opportunity. IMV’s 2025 outlook reaffirms that mammography is no longer a static service but a dynamic, tech-infused field demanding continuous reinvestment.

The convergence of rising clinical demand, technology transition cycles, and institutional capital flows suggests that breast imaging will remain a headline segment in healthcare infrastructure planning through the end of the decade. For imaging centers, OEMs, and investors alike, the coming years may well determine who leads in diagnostic precision, patient experience, and innovation velocity.