Differences in Dose Levels Among Digital Mammography Systems

Breast cancer screening is a well-established method for reducing mortality in women, because cancers can be detected at an early stage while they are still easy to treat. However, low radiation dose to the breast is important when screening, since healthy women are exposed. Numerous studies comparing full-field digital mammography (FFDM) with screen-film mammography (SFM) and computed radiography (CR) plates have been performed and show the clinical advantage and dose reduction capabilities of FFDM systems. With a mammography market dominated by digital systems, studies comparing different models of FFDM are becoming more and more relevant.

This white paper summarizes data from the latest official radiation dose report from Strålsäkerhetsmyndigheten (the Swedish Radiation Safety Authority), additional data requested from the same authority in 2010 and data from a survey from BreastCheck, the Irish Breast Screening Program. These studies show a significant difference in dose levels among the different FFDM systems and that Philips MicroDose demonstrates the lowest average mean glandular dose (MGD) among systems surveyed.

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