Average glandular doses reported by mammography units: how reliable are they?

Introduction. Average glandular dose (AGD) values displayed by mammography units are often used to compare doses with diagnostic reference levels, with acceptable and achievable dose levels given with in the European guidelines on breast cancer screening, or between mammography units. The aim of the work was to check the reliability of displayed AGD values by comparing them with independently calculated values. Material and methods. The comparison was performed for five mammography units, for 20 groups of patients (50 patients each), examined in various periods between the years 2015 and 2020. AGD values were calculated independently for the same patients using the results of measurements. Results. Observed differences between displayed and calculated doses affected their comparison with acceptable and achievable dose levels. Conclusions. The displayed AGD values should be used with caution. If reliable information on AGD values is needed, they should be independently calculated using the results of measurements.