2012 Volume 5 Issue 4 Pages 222-233
Breast X-ray screening (mammography) was introduced in 2000 to detect breast cancer at an early stage. Since then, the number of examinees has increased steadily. X-ray dose must be optimized enough to obtain high quality images for diagnosis reliability without compromising safety. Mammography uses low-energy X-rays with a special energy spectrum for breast screening. This X-ray energy spectrum is significantly different from the reference X-ray spectrum used to calibrate dosimeters. Industry and academia were concerned about the reliability of dose evaluation for quality control of mammography. So, NMIJ/AIST has established the X-ray dose standard based on the X-ray energy spectrum for mammography, and has supplied this standard to industry. We have succeeded in rapidly establishing this standard by making utmost use of existing research equipment and technology, and setting the standard to the existing accuracy control system. Moreover, we drew up a preliminary R&D scenario with consideration for both domestic and international situations regarding mammography dosimetry, which enabled rapid and extensive dissemination of the standard with an international consistency.
