Dose and image quality evaluation in mammographic test at Tehran mammography centers

Breast cancer is one of the most common form of cancer among women. Diagnosis in the early stage of emergence is the most effective way to reduce the mortality caused by this disease. Mammography, the safest and most accurate imaging test for the identification of breast cancer, required high quality images along applying the lowest possible dose to sensitive tissues of the breast. This study aimed to optimize the radiation dose in mammographic tests and improve patient protection by enhancing the quality of mammography equipment in centers participating in this trial. At the first phase of this study, mammography equipment of 20 analog mammography center located in Tehran underwent quality control tests and, if necessary, corrective actions have also been done. In the second phase, quality control tests have repeated and the results were compared with the first step, to determine how corrective actions affected on the performance of the devices. The survey showed about 70% of mammograms were in good condition and 23.6% in relatively good condition and only 6.4% of the devices had images that need to be repeated. The entrance skin dose was measured in the range of ESAK = 3.8-10.5 (mGy) and average glandular dose in range of AGD = 0.34-1.8 (mGy). The average glandular dose values calculated are lower than international levels, that ensures the patient radiological protection, but other parameters related to image quality values were much lower than standard values. Therefore, use of mammography devices with good quality and performing routine and regular QC test is necessary.