Academic Journal of Cancer Research 7 (2): 162-167, 2014 ISSN 1995-8943 © IDOSI Publications, 2014 DOI: 10.5829/idosi.ajcr.2014.7.2.83313 Corresponding Author: Parinaz Mehnati, Department of Medical Physics, School of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran. Tel & Fax: +98-411-3364660 162 Comparison Between Film-Screen and Digital Mammography for Woman Breast Cancer Screening: Mean Glandular Dose Parinaz Mehnati and Hamed Alizadeh 1,2 1 Department of Medical Physics, School of Medicine, 1 Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran Drug Applied Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran 2 Abstract: Introduction: Most studies in mammography have only been carried out in a comparison of image quality and lesion detection in film-screen mammography (FSM) and full field digital mammography (FFDM) systems. The aim of this paper was to evaluate mean glandular dose (MGD) of patient and affecting factors by FSM and FFDM to estimate which one gives a brief radiation protection to patient. Material and Methods: The FSM units with fast and slow screen film detectors used for comparison to FFDM in this study. In addition to technical factors, a set of data consisting of age, weight, height and compressed breast thickness (CBT) were also recorded for each patient.Results: Entrance skin exposure (ESE) for CBT of 4cm, 27 kVp in FSM by fast and slow screen film detector, was 4.5 mR/mAs and 11 mR/mAs, respectively. But ESE variation by FFDM (Gitto) by Mo filter was 14 mR/mAs. In conventional units, mean CBT of 6.02 cm with fast and slow screen film detector were 1.55 and 1.96 mGy. In digital unit by mean CBT of 5.41 cm, MGD was 2.26 mGy, respectively. Significant correlations were observed between MGD and breast thickness, breast density, applied kVp and mAs.inConclusion: In spite of advantages presented by digital technology, this technology leads to a significantly greater MGD to patient when comparing to conventional mammography especially with fast film-screen mammography and patients with high breast thickness. Key words: Film-Screen Digital Mammography MGD INTRODUCTION and not only provides higher contrast at medium film Mammography is one of the most recommended which have been almost in use from 2000 have all the methods for early detection of breast abnormalities [1]. characteristics of a film-screen unit but the last element Mammography screening in women leads to reduction of the imaging chain, the detectors, is different. Digital of mortality [2]. The past decade has seen the rapid mammography use laser-stimulated photo-stimulatable development of mammography in many techniques. phosphors and by removing the films and screens from Despite its long clinical success, mammography has a the imaging chain, these units could provide a higher number of problems in use if radiation protection of dynamic range and allow to digital archiving and easy patient is not carefully regarded [3]. However, there have image transport including teleradiology. been rare control studies which compare differences Most studies in mammography have only been in mammography equipments in patient radiation dose. carried out in a comparison of image quality and lesion Also, there is controversy in the amount of patient dose detection in conventional film-screen mammography received from conventional and digital mammography. (FSM) and full field digital mammography (FFDM) Direct exposure films were the first common receptors systems [4]. However, numerous studies have attempted for mammography examinations. Film-screen receptors to compare patient mean glandular dose (MGD) in FSM compared with direct exposure films reduces patient dose and FFDM unites. densities but also image receptor speed. Digital units