Report

South Africa mammography market is projected to witness a CAGR of 1.50% during the forecast period 2024-2031, growing from USD 6.12 million in 2023 to USD 6.89 million in 2031. The market is driven by several factors, which include increasing awareness of breast cancer, advancements in imaging technology, rising incidence of breast cancer, government initiatives and screening programs, national health insurance schemes, expanding healthcare infrastructure, higher disposable incomes, emphasis on preventive healthcare, integration of AI and machine learning, and enhanced public health campaigns. These factors collectively boost the demand for advanced imaging technologies and enhanced accessibility, fueling the growth and evolution of the South Africa mammography market.
Providing clinicians with valuable information, mammography helps in identifying the accurate diagnosis or stage determining a prognosis, which is essential for treatment strategy and remarkably improves survival rates. The market is driven by factors that directly affect breast cancer diagnostics research and innovation. While development in mammography will continue to add new and more effective ways of detecting cancer, this would involve applying other refined techniques as technology advances outside the realm of radiology, which may stimulate disease detection research and go on to provide patients with better-quality care.
For instance, in November 2023, Asia Africa Investment & Consulting (AAIC) Investment Pte. Ltd. invested in LifeQ inc., a South African biometric data analytics company, through the Africa Innovation & Healthcare Fund. AAIC has initiated the investment in LifeQ to support LifeQ's innovative approach to transforming the global healthcare market with technology developed in Africa. This investment aims to support LifeQ in achieving growth and advancing its groundbreaking solutions.
National Health Insurance Schemes to Promote Market Growth
South Africa is moving toward universal healthcare through a proposed National Health Insurance (NHI) scheme. Over NHI, the state is expected to take over as the single largest procurer of health goods and services right by investing in upgrading public healthcare system facilities' infrastructure, including access. The NHI Bill was adopted by the National Council of Provinces (NCOP) and passed through Parliament on December 6, 2023. Public investment in healthcare infrastructure through the NHI scheme will promote the expansion of diagnostic services, thereby fostering the growth of South Africa mammography market. As the single largest buyer of health technologies, it is expected to lead to an increase in demand for more advanced mammography equipment and screening services. There is potential for the market to be shaped by the central government's role, along with the private sector in the provision and management of mammography services, which provides opportunities.
For instance, in May 2024, Affinity Health publicly endorsed the National Health Insurance (NHI) Bill, emphasizing its dedication to working with the government to establish a balanced health coverage system. Affinity Health highlighted that the NHI addresses long-standing disparities and aims to enhance the overall quality of healthcare. The organization expressed its full commitment to supporting this transformation and ensuring the sustainability and effectiveness of public and private health systems.
Increasing Incidence of Breast Cancer to Push Market Demand
The growing prevalence of breast cancer in South Africa is strongly propelling the growth of the mammography market. For instance, according to the World Cancer Research Fund International, there were 2,296,840 new cases of breast cancer among women in 2022. The Cancer Association of South Africa (CANSA) further states that breast cancer is the most common cancer among women in South Africa, with a lifetime risk of 1 in 27. As new case numbers climb, there is an urgent requirement for better screening tools that can detect tumors in the earlier developmental stage. There is an increase in public awareness campaigns promoting mammography screening, thereby leading to higher demand for the services. Thus, owing to the increased awareness among women regarding the benefits of early detection, there has been a trend towards the growing adoption of mammograms for prevention purposes. To keep up with a constantly expanding patient pool, diagnostic infrastructure growth is being led by government and private endowments for upgrades.
Breast Tomosynthesis Segment to Register Significant Growth
South Africa mammography market is being propelled by breast tomosynthesis over the foreseeable future. 3D mammography offers a three-dimensional image of the breast tissue and delivers enhanced accuracy, essential for ensuring correct therapy and outcomes for breast cancer treatment. As South Africa's healthcare facilities make significant investments in leading technologies, the adoption of breast tomosynthesis has been increasing at a higher speed. Growing radiologist awareness regarding its advanced diagnostic advantages aids in further solidifying the dominance of this segment. Its superior image resolution, coupled with decreased diagnostic errors, has made it the right choice for numerous institutions. Over time, further improvements and decreasing costs are helping to make breast tomosynthesis more practical across a range of care delivery contexts.
For instance, in June 2023, PinkDrive NPC, a health sector non-profit organization, introduced a 3D mammography system in their mobile unit. This advanced system enhances the early detection of breast lesions by taking multiple X-rays of the breast in an arc and reconstructing them into a detailed 3D image. It allows radiographers and oncologists to obtain a clearer and more precise view, enabling the identification of lesions that might be less visible or accurately detected with traditional 2D mammography.
Gauteng Region Dominates South Africa Mammography Market
The mammography market in South Africa has been significantly driven by Gauteng, owing to its extensive healthcare infrastructure, high investments, and concentration on advanced technology compared to other cities. Intensive medical technology in Gauteng and increased female-oriented health interventions led to greater mammography uptake, encouraging women/families to attend screenings that are conducted according to local customs. It is further driven by public health campaigns and government programs for early breast cancer detection, resulting in increasing penetration of the diagnostic devices segment. Additionally, partnerships between healthcare providers and non-governmental organizations have strengthened screening programs and outreach activities. The presence of purely medical centers and facilities in South Africa contributes directly to its position at the forefront of the market. For instance, in June 2024, to improve healthcare accessibility to underserved communities, the Health and Wellness Department of Gauteng, alongside Pristem Global Diagnostics SA, launched the region's first radiology diagnostic center. This initiative is designed to provide middle-class township residents with high-quality healthcare services and reduce long queues in the public sector.
Future Market Scenario (2024 - 2031F)
Increased awareness regarding the early detection of breast cancer is expected to propel the growth of the mammography market. Increased awareness of the benefits of early screening and growing demand for premium mammography machines, such as 3D mammography, is expected to remain a growth booster. More people who are aware of the screening can lead to increased testing, which, in turn, will drive a higher need for diagnostic equipment and services. Additionally, increased public awareness often translates into more funding and support for breast cancer research and screening programs, further promoting the adoption of innovative mammography solutions and contributing to market growth. Public health campaigns and educational programs will be important in promoting regular screenings, thereby driving the growth of the market.
For instance, in October 2023, Clover Corporate announced its partnership with PinkDrive NPC for the Pink for Purpose initiative. This initiative involved rebranding some of Clover's most loved dairy products with limited edition pink packaging for October. The campaign aimed to raise awareness for breast cancer and educate and encourage the public to get tested for early detection of the disease.
Key Players Landscape and Outlook
South Africa mammography market is quite competitive with a major number of players at local levels. Companies frequently pursue regulatory approvals to ensure their products meet stringent standards, building credibility and trust. Additionally, mergers and acquisitions are common as firms seek to expand their market reach and capabilities. Collaborations between companies and healthcare institutions are prevalent, facilitating the development of innovative solutions and enhancing access to advanced diagnostic technologies.
In April 2024, the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA) and GE HealthCare Technologies, Inc partnered to introduce advanced technology in Tanzania. Through the partnership, the hospital in the country plans to be equipped with the latest mammography systems and receive comprehensive hands-on training for healthcare professionals. This initiative aims to substantially improve the accuracy of breast cancer detection and its diagnosis as well as heighten total quality in therapy. The initiative is intended to reinforce local medical expertise and enhance patient access to advanced technologies for the detection of breast cancer.