Comparison of Chromosomal Damage caused by Conventional and Digital Mammography in Human Peripheral Lymphocytes

ABSTRACT Background: Mammography is a widely used technology preferred by doctors for the early detection of breast cancer. Underlying problems are identified in about three years and are considered the most efficient method. Full-field digital mammography uses less radiation, and the images are stored in a system where they can be reviewed and adjusted according to the user’s requirements. Conventional mammography has a higher radiation dose, and film storage is required. Ionizing radiation causes several biological effects, including chromosomal aberration, disorder, anomaly, mutation, etc. This led us to investigate the effectiveness of digital mammography over the conventional mammography instrument. Materials and Methods: Blood samples were obtained from 13 healthy donors, aliquot into three different vials. Each donor’s blood was separated into control, conventional, and digital groups, and the conventional and digital vials were exposed to soft radiation. After exposure, the aliquot samples were acclimatized to a normal physiological condition, and a CBMN assay was performed. A minimum of 2000 cells were scored from every sample group. The MN frequency in each group was estimated to assess DNA damage. Result: A significant increase in micronucleus formation was observed in cells irradiated with conventional mammography compared to digital mammography and the non-irradiated control group. Conclusion: The study concludes that conventional mammography had significantly higher DNA damage when compared to digital. The study favors digital mammography and its response to producing fewer DNA damages.