ASSESSMENT OF MEAN GLANDULAR DOSE AND ANTHROPOTECHNICAL PARAMETERS IN SOUTH-WEST NIGERIA

Abstract

Background: Owing to the increase in the incidence of breast cancer worldwide. It is imperative for women to undergo screening mammography to reduce cases of mortality. INTRODUCTION Conclusion: A dose reference level of 0.85mGy is proposed for South West Nigeria, CBT and mAs could affect mean glandular dose. There is need for optimization of doses from one center to another due to the variations in doses. Breast cancer is the most common cancer is women worldwide and the second most common cancer overall. It is the leading cause of cancer death in less developed Mammography is the X-ray examination of the breast tissue and it is helpful in early detection and characterization of breast diseases. Objective: To assess the factors affecting mean glandular dose and in turn dose reference level of mammography in south west Nigeria. Materials and Methods: The study involve one hundred and fifty women from four major health institutions in South-West Nigeria. The entrance surface dose was measured with the use of thermoluminescent dosimeter chips which were calibrated at the centre for Energy Research Training, Zaria. The following parameters were recorded. Age, kVp, mAs, Anode-filter combination and weight. The mean glandular dose was calculated using the entrance surface dose and conversion factor published by Dance.