Norwegian Cervical Screening Program Approves Reimbursement for Liquid-Based Cytology
BEDFORD, Mass., Aug. 5 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Hologic, Inc. (Hologic or the Company) (Nasdaq: HOLX), a leading developer, manufacturer and supplier of premium diagnostics products, medical imaging systems and surgical products dedicated to serving the healthcare needs of women, today announced that on July 1, 2010, the Norwegian cervical screening program began reimbursing for liquid-based cytology (LBC).
Professor Torill Sauer of the Department of Pathology, Oslo University Hospital Ulleval, and a former member of a mass screening program advisory group commented that, "After rigorous evaluation, the decision has been taken to elevate conventional Pap test reimbursement so that LBC can be made accessible to all women participating in the Norwegian mass screening program. We now anticipate a quickly growing demand for LBC in Norway."
David Harding, Hologic Senior Vice President and General Manager, International, stated, "This reimbursement breakthrough has been anticipated for some time. With seven of seventeen Norwegian laboratories using ThinPrep technology and more than 100,000 ThinPrep Pap tests already purchased each year in Norway, Hologic is well positioned to expand its presence in the Norwegian market."
If detected in the pre-cancerous stage, most cervical cancer cases are preventable. Through the Norwegian cervical screening program, women between the ages of 25 and 69 are invited for Pap screening for cervical abnormality every 3 years. This represents approximately half a million Pap tests processed annually.
About the ThinPrep System
The ThinPrep System is the most widely used method for cervical cancer screening in the United States.
The ThinPrep process begins with the patient's cervical sample being taken by the physician using a cervical sampling device that, rather than being smeared on a microscope slide as in a conventional Pap smear, is rinsed in a vial filled with Hologic's proprietary PreservCyt solution. This enables most of the patient's cell sample to be preserved before the cells can be damaged by air drying. The ThinPrep specimen vial is then labeled and sent to a laboratory equipped with a ThinPrep processor for slide preparation.
At the laboratory, the ThinPrep specimen vial is inserted into a ThinPrep processor, a proprietary sample preparation device which automates the process of preparing cervical slides for staining and microscopic examination. In the case of manual screening, the cytotechnologist screens each Pap test slide with a microscope to first determine the adequacy of the slide and to then examine the entire slide to differentiate diseased or abnormal cells from normal cells.
With the ThinPrep Imaging System, the screening process has been automated to combine the power of computer imaging technology and human interpretive skills. Prior to human review, the ThinPrep Imaging System rapidly scans and locates areas of interest for review. By directing the cytotechnologist to areas of interest on a slide, the system may increase a cytology laboratory's screening productivity and diagnostic accuracy.
About Hologic, Inc.
Hologic, Inc. is a leading developer, manufacturer and supplier of premium diagnostics products, medical imaging systems and surgical products dedicated to serving the healthcare needs of women. Hologic's core business units are focused on breast health, diagnostics, GYN surgical, and skeletal health. Hologic provides a comprehensive suite of technologies with products for mammography and breast biopsy, radiation treatment for early-stage breast cancer, cervical cancer screening, treatment for menorrhagia, permanent contraception, osteoporosis assessment, preterm birth risk assessment, mini C-arm for extremity imaging and molecular diagnostic products including HPV and reagents for a variety of DNA and RNA analysis applications. For more information, visit www.hologic.com.
Hologic, ThinPrep, PreservCyt and associated logos are trademarks and/or registered trademarks of Hologic, Inc. and/or its subsidiaries in the United States and/or other countries.
Forward Looking Statement Disclaimer
This News Release may contain forward-looking information that involves risks and uncertainties, including statements about the use of the ThinPrep Pap test. There can be no assurance that the test will achieve the benefits described herein and that such benefits will be replicated in any particular manner with respect to an individual patient as the actual effect of the use of the ThinPrep Pap test can only be determined on a case-by-case basis depending on the particular circumstances of the procedure and patient in question. Also, there can be no assurance that the implementation of reimbursement in the Norwegian market will lead to increased sales of the ThinPrep Pap test. Hologic expressly disclaims any obligation or undertaking to release publicly any updates or revisions to the data or statements presented herein to reflect any change in the Company's expectations or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any such data or statements are based. Certain factors that could adversely affect the Company's business and prospects are described in Hologic filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Contacts: |
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Anne Rivers |
Glenn Weatherley |
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Manager, Corporate Projects |
Vice President, Northern Europe, GYN Surgical and Diagnostics |
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Hologic, Inc. |
Hologic, Inc. |
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+1.508.263.8765 |
+44 (0)1293 528010 |
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SOURCE Hologic, Inc.
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