Alpha Imaging, one of the largest independent sales and service providers of advanced medical imaging equipment, announced that it has executed a distribution agreement with Gamma Medica, Inc, women's health company. The agreement covers distribution of Gamma Medica’s LumaGEM Molecular Breast Imaging solution in the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic regions.

Molecular Breast Imaging (MBI) is a new ground-breaking technology that greatly improves detection of early cancers in women with dense breast tissue and complex mammograms addressing the shortcomings of mammography and other screening modalities.”Alpha Imaging’s product reach in women’s healthcare is further enhanced with MBI,” said Michael Perrico, CEO of Alpha Imaging. “We look forward to the partnership as we continue to provide best-in-class products and services to our customers while expanding and growing our business.”

Recently published studies have shown that the addition of MBI for women with dense breast tissue, results in a 4 times increase in invasive breast cancer detection rates as part of a secondary screening protocol, 50 per cent reduction in biopsies and a subsequent 15 per cent lower cost per cancer detected than screening with mammography alone.

Dense breast tissue makes it more difficult to detect cancer, since both lesions and dense tissue appear white on a mammogram. According to recent publications, MBI is a functional imaging modality that highlights metabolic activity in breast tumors not visible on mammography due to tissue density, thereby leading to earlier diagnosis, improved outcomes and lowered costs.

“Alpha Imaging has generated trusted partnerships with their customers, helping to strengthen their already great position within their women’s healthcare market,” said Philip M. Croxford, president and CEO, Gamma Medica, Inc. “We are excited to partner and provide the world’s leading MBI solution with Alpha Imaging’s extensive customer relationships expanding to over 1,100 healthcare facilities throughout the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic.”

It is important for women to discuss with their doctors if MBI is an appropriate screening method for them. In addition to women with dense breast tissue or suspicious lesions, MBI may also be valuable for high-risk patients with a family history of breast cancer, patients who have tested positive for BRCA1 or BRCA2 genes, symptomatic patients, patients with cosmetic augmentation or patients who cannot receive an MRI.