To obtain
accurate risk estimates for breast cancer due to clinical
mammograms.
Project
Goals:
Determine
chromosomal effects from direct exposure to low-energy x-rays
in mammalian cells.
Characterize
how and where energy is deposited within cells exposed to
low energy x-rays.
Refine
models that predict radation-induced breast cancer risk
by incorporating the comparison of known breast cancer estimates
derived from high dose exposures with the estimates generated
from the above two goals.
Experimental
Approach:
Characterize
the effects of energy deposition from low-energy (5-28 Ke)
x-rays and quantify the effects using microdosimetric measurements.
Conduct
direct radiobiological experiments to determine the amount
of low-energy x-rays required to trigger chromosomal aberrations
and in-vitro cancer cell formation in mammalian cells.
Expected
Outcomes:
Increased
accuracy of the estimate of risk from using routine mammogram
screenings.
Better
understanding of the effects of low energy x-rays on chromosomes,
and in identifying the role low energy x-rays may have in
the cellular processes that transform normal cells into
cancerous ones.
