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Radiological Protection of Patients |
Ground reality: X ray mammography is the most reliable method of detecting breast cancer. It is the method of choice for the breast-screening Program in a number of developed countries. In order to obtain high quality mammograms at an acceptable breast dose, it is essential to use the correct equipment and perform regular quality control test on the mammography equipment. There is a need to evaluate the situation of optimization of protection in mammography in different countries, identify the points where action is needed and then document improvement after corrective actions are put in place. The lessons learnt from such exercise, conducted in several countries, should give insight into the variation in practices, pattern of problems in optimization and, subsequently, inferences on how optimization can be effective.
| Phase | IAEA’s Inputs | Action by Member State |
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I. Image quality |
1. Supply of EC image quality criteria 2. Work plan for image quality 3. Expert’s guidance through email |
1. Select few hospitals 2. Collect image quality data 3. Corrective actions followed by repeat assessment 4. Estimate improvement 5. Prepare report and publish |
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II. Patient dose |
1. Supply of dosimeter 2. Quality control tools if not already available 3. Technical assistance 4. Technical documents 5. Fellowship/Scientific visit 6. ESAK calculation software |
1. Availability of Medical Physicist to do quality control tests, measure output ESAK and compare with GL 2. Report and publish results |