Determination of uranium concentration in blood samples of women with breast cancer in Babylon Province of Iraq using CR-39 nuclear track detector

Abstract

Abstract Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women in Iraq, accounting for approximately 30% of all cancers diagnosed in women. It is also the leading cause of cancer death among women in Iraq. This scientific paper aims to determine the uranium levels in the blood samples collected from breast cancer patients and analyzed using the CR-39 track detector to measure uranium concentrations. Fission track etching technique with CR-39 detector is a non-destructive technique used to detect and measure the spatial distribution of neutron-induced fission events in solid materials. It is a powerful tool for various applications in nuclear physics, radiation dosimetry, environmental monitoring, and geochronology. The results show that the uranium concentration among the patient women varied from 3.259 ppb to 1.918 ppb, while the uranium concentration among the healthy women varied from 2.15 ppb to 0.59 ppb. Increased uranium concentration in patient groups compared to healthy groups is well-documented. This is thought to be due to exposure to uranium through the environment, workplace, or medical procedures. Uranium is a heavy metal that can accumulate in the body over time and cause several health problems, including cancer, kidney damage, and congenital disabilities.