Estimated risk of radiation-induced cancer following breast screening employing tomosynthesis and digital mammography using Monte Carlo.

The objective of this study was to estimate the risk of radiation-induced injury to the organs due to ionizing radiation following breast screening recommendations by employing digital breast tomosynthesis (DBT) and digital mammography (DM). Using the Monte Carlo method, absorbed doses in the tissues and organs were calculated on an adult female phantom, considering two-views cranio-caudal (CC) and mediolateral oblique (MLO) for each breast. The results showed differences in the total effective risk due to DM (CC+MLO) and DBT (CC+MLO) examinations in Brazil, ranging from 20.73 case/105 (DM) to 27.19 case/105 (DBT). Significant differences were also observed in the total effective risk of cancer incidence in the lungs due to DM (CC+MLO) and DBT (CC+MLO), ranging from 1.75E-01 case/105 (DM) to 1.76E-01 case/105 (DBT). The results indicate that the total effective risk for incidence should be considered as an additional parameter for the evaluation of DBT or DBT+DM program performance.