BEDFORD, Mass., July 28 Hologic, Inc. (Hologic or the Company) (Nasdaq: HOLX), a leading developer, manufacturer and supplier of premium diagnostics, medical imaging systems and surgical products dedicated to serving the healthcare needs of women, today announced its NovaSure(R) system--a 90-second, outpatient treatment for women suffering from excessive menstrual bleeding--has passed the one million mark for number of procedures performed. Scott Schade, M.D., an obstetrician/gynecologist at Rockwood Clinic in Spokane, Washington, performed the one millionth procedure.
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Excessive menstrual bleeding is a debilitating condition that affects one in five women ages 35 to 49 years old in the United States. The NovaSure system, available in the U.S. since 2001, is designed to reduce or eliminate excessive bleeding by safely removing the endometrial lining of the uterus. The 90-second procedure requires no incisions, can be performed in a physician's office or outpatient setting and typically allows patients to return to their normal activities in less than a day.
"Many women are excited to learn there is a safe, effective and quick solution to excessive menstrual bleeding that does not require major surgery," said Tony Kingsley, senior vice president, GYN surgical products at Hologic. "NovaSure has allowed women to seek to regain control of their lives without major surgery and to return to their normal routines quickly."
Affecting approximately 10 million women in the United States, excessive menstrual bleeding is one of the most common afflictions in contemporary gynecology. Two-thirds of sufferers are anemic and may also experience severe pain and fatigue, all of which can result in restricted social activities, missed time from work and emotional distress.
In 2008, global endometrial ablation (GEA) procedures were the most common treatment for heavy menstrual bleeding. Doctors performed approximately 312,000 GEA procedures across the country, with NovaSure accounting for 66 percent of the GEA market. Despite the potential surgical complications and lengthy recovery times, hysterectomy is still considered a common treatment option for heavy menstrual bleeding. Of the roughly 600,000 hysterectomies performed each year in the United States, approximately 17 percent are performed to treat excessive menstrual bleeding.
"We want women to know there is a safe and simple alternative for the treatment of menstrual problems," said Dr. Scott Schade, who has performed more than 500 procedures. "Hysterectomy or long-term hormonal therapies are no longer their only choices; they need not suffer in silence. In my opinion, the NovaSure system is the safest, simplest and most effective ablative technique now available. It often can be performed in the office setting and requires minimal anesthesia; many patients go to work the next day."
The milestone NovaSure procedure was performed on Yvette Cornmesser, a mother of two. Yvette began experiencing heavy and prolonged menstrual periods approximately one year ago. "Around my fortieth birthday, I first told my doctor that my menstrual periods were getting heavier," said Yvette. "My doctor tried to regulate my cycle by changing my birth control prescription, but this new pill did not help to lessen my bleeding. I became increasingly worried that I'd have an accident in public. After speaking with some friends and almost canceling my birthday dinner, I decided to talk to my doctor again about my cycle to discuss alternative options." Yvette's doctor referred her to Dr. Schade who suggested she have the NovaSure endometrial ablation procedure. NovaSure effectively treated Yvette's symptoms in a matter of minutes, allowed her to avoid hysterectomy and regain the confidence that living with problem periods took away from her. "NovaSure gave me back my life."
NovaSure is appropriate only for premenopausal women with patient-perceived excessive menstrual bleeding due to benign causes who have completed childbearing. NovaSure does not replace birth control for the prevention of pregnancy.
About the NovaSure System
The NovaSure endometrial ablation system, manufactured and marketed by Hologic, Inc., is a next-generation, minimally invasive treatment for excessive menstrual bleeding, or menorrhagia. The NovaSure system works by applying a 90-second, precisely controlled dose of radio-frequency energy to remove the lining of the uterus. Unlike other endometrial ablation treatments, the NovaSure procedure is customized to each patient and requires no hormonal pre-treatment, which is often associated with side-effects and treatment delays. It can be performed in an outpatient setting or doctor's office at any time during the menstrual cycle, increasing flexibility for both the patient and physician. The NovaSure procedure provides a safe and effective alternative to hysterectomy and oral contraceptive therapy for women suffering from excessive menstrual bleeding. For more information, visit www.novasure.com.
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.
Forward Looking Statement Disclaimer
This News Release may contain forward-looking information that involves risks and uncertainties, including statements about the use of the NovaSure system. There can be no assurance that the system 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 NovaSure system can only be determined on a case-by-case basis depending on the particular circumstances of the procedure and patient in question. 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.
Hologic and NovaSure are trademarks and/or registered trademarks of Hologic, Inc., and/or its subsidiaries in the United States and/or other countries.
SOURCE Hologic, Inc.
