Absorbed Radiation Dose in Mammography

TLDR

The study determines mammographic radiation dose as a function of surface exposure, beam quality, and depth, and discusses quantitative risk indicators beyond midbreast dose. Dose at depth depends on beam quality as well as exposure and tissue composition. Dose depth dependence was measured using thermoluminescent dosimetry in tissue‑substitute materials, and f‑factors were derived from elemental compositions of mastectomy specimens. Analysis of data from the ACS/NCI Screening Centers shows current average midbreast doses to be 25 times lower (film/screen) and 3 times lower (Xerox) than the 2 rads previously estimated.

Abstract

Radiation dose from mammographic techniques was determined as a function of surface exposure, beam quality, and depth. Relative exposure vs. depth was measured in tissue-substitute materials by thermoluminescent dosimetry. The f-factors were calculated from elemental compositions of mastectomy specimens. Dose at depth depends on beam quality as well as exposure and tissue composition. Analysis of data from the ACS/NCI Screening Centers shows current average midbreast doses to be 25 times lower (film/screen) and 3 times lower (Xerox) than the 2 rads previously estimated. Quantitative risk indicators other than midbreast dose are also discussed.