Estimation of lifetime attributable risk incidence and mortality for breast cancer attributed to computed tomography of the head in the Niger Delta Region of Nigeria

Abstract

Abstract Background The rising increase in the incidence of breast cancer among women is worrisome and a great concern to all. More disturbing is that the incidence of breast cancer and death has been attributed to exposure to imaging modalities that utilize ionizing radiation such as computed tomography. The aim of this study was to estimate the lifetime attributable risk (LAR) incidence and mortality for breast cancer for female patients who had head computed tomography in two imaging facilities (centres) in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria. Result The overall estimated mean effective dose in centres G1 and G2 is 5.76 mSv and 1.54 mSv, respectively. There was a statistical significant difference in the mean effective dose between centres G1 and G2 (P < 0.001). The LAR breast cancer incidence obtained in this study ranged between 0.5 and 26.45 per 100,000 population in centre G1, while in centre G2, it ranged between 0.14 and 6.56 per 100,000 population. The LAR breast cancer mortality obtained in this study ranged between 0.07 and 6.25 per 100,000 population in centre G1, while in centre G2, it ranged between 0.03 and 1.55 per 100,000 population. Conclusion The estimated mean LAR of breast cancer incidence and mortality for the women who had head CT examination in the two study centres was found to be minimal to negligible among the female patients of the different age groups in the study population. The overall mean risk of breast cancer incidence was very low in centre G1 and minimal in centre G2. The obtained risk values can be used to optimize the dose delivered to patients and also ensure that CT examinations are justified.