Abstract P3-02-13: ANALYSIS OF INFRASTRUCTURE FOR MAMMOGRAPHY SCREENING IN THE STATE OF GOIAS, BRAZIL, 2010

Abstract

Abstract Objective: Assess the infrastructure for mammography screening in the state of Goiás, Brazil, taking into consideration the quality of the image generated by the equipment and the dose received by the patients, according to the type of technology (conventional and digital mammography). Methods: Cross-sectional study in which the observational units were the diagnostic imaging services that were in operation in 2010. In an in loco visit, we collected information on the equipment and performed tests to assess quality of the image, accuracy values for tube tension, quality of X-ray beam, and dose at the simulator entrance. The percentage of mammography equipments in conformity with the parameters evaluated was calculated, and the mean glandular tissue dose (Dg) was estimated based on the dose at the simulator entrance. To assess quality of the image and the radiation dose, we used a standard breast simulator (5.3 cm thickness and 50% glandular tissue). Results: In 2010, 102 services were in operation, using 106 equipments. Among these, 100 (94.3%) – 64 conventional and 36 digital mammography equipments – had their performance and dose assessed. The visualization of fibers (p = 0.044) and the dose at the simulator entrance (p = 0.042) were the parameters that presented differences between the types of technology. The mean dose at the simulator entrance was 9.75 mGy (± 2.46) in conventional and 14.93 mGy (± 8.39) in digital equipments (p < 0.001); 12% of the conventional and 50% of the digital equipments presented Dg above the limit established by the European guidelines. Conclusion: The infrastructure for mammography screening in the state of Goias, Brazil, in 2010 presented acceptable quality standard according to international guidelines. However, the radiation doses were heterogeneous between the two types of technology, with a predominance of higher doses in digital equipments. Citation Information: Cancer Res 2012;72(24 Suppl):Abstract nr P3-02-13.