The biopsy guns market has grown by 3% between 2015 and 2021 and is projected to continue to grow at a similar rate until the end of the decade, says GlobalData. The leading data and analytics company notes that events such as Movember, which is intended to raise awareness of men’s health, will drive market growth.

The International Agency for Research on Cancer estimates that over 700,000 people will die from prostate cancer globally by 2040, which is nearly double the 400,000 deaths this year. Therefore, early detection of this type of cancer using biopsy devices is critical to improving recovery rates. While other cancerous indications like liver cancer and lung cancer contribute to the growth of the biopsy guns market, prostate cancer is still an important indication for these needle biopsy devices.

Brian Hicks, Senior Analyst at GlobalData, comments: “While not as prevalent as lung cancer or colorectal cancer, the projected increase in annual mortality for prostate cancer highlights the importance of detecting this cancerous type at the early stages in order to arrange suitable treatment. Two main risk factors for prostate cancer are aging and family history of the disease, so there is usually little that be done to prevent their development beyond leading a generally healthy lifestyle. However, in many cases, they can be diagnosed quickly to enable early intervention.”

Prostate screening tests are often performed for men older than 40 via digital rectal exams or prostate-specific antigen (PSA) tests. If suspected of having prostate cancer due to an enlarged or hardened prostate, or due to higher PSA levels, one would undergo a biopsy to properly diagnose and stage the cancer.

Hicks adds: “A common approach to perform prostate biopsies is through mechanically assisted, ultrasound-guided thin needle biopsy of the prostate gland, where biopsy guns with needles less than 20 gauges are used to sample tissues. These devices have been instrumental in better diagnosing more prostate cancer cases, leading to their increased use globally over time.”