Sum Mar 231109

Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women in the United States, other than skin cancer. It is the second leading cause of cancer death in women, after lung cancer. About 182,460 women in the United States found invasive breast cancer in 2008. About 40,480 women will die from the disease this year. Right now there are about two and a half million-breast cancer survivors in the United States. 100% of women survive breast cancer if it is detected before it starts to spread and 98% of women survive breast cancer if it is detected while it is smaller than 2cm in diameter and hasn’t spread. Only 16% of women survive breast cancer if it is detected after it has spread to other parts of the body. A recent study in 2007 found that 21% of mammograms were misdiagnosed. Currently mamographic radiographs are diagnosed subjectively with much of the information being given by appearance. There is almost no data available on calibrations on the most radiographic systems. This is in contrast with most scientific and technological work, which require accurate, quantitative data and standards that are absolutely accurate and reproducible. We propose designing an automated calibration system that will increase the ability to detect smaller cancers by significantly increasing the accuracy of the mammographic system and readout. Basic features of the system would be: • Tissue-like sheets of material of known thickness that could be placed in various combinations where the breast would go and be exposed to X-rays • Sensor to determine spacing of retainer plate • Accurate voltage and current sensor to measure X-ray tube parameters • Temperature sensors to measure detector temperature and compensate • Computer data acquisition system to measure parameters and read-out X-ray detector array and store data • Computer code such as the DOE MCNP code to accurately calculate and normalize radiation on calibrations and exposures • Computer code to readout, analyze and store data from calibrations and exposure