Measurement of dose to the contralateral breast during radiation therapy for breast cancer: reduction by the use of superflab.

The effect of radiation in regard to breast carcinogenesis is well studied and analysed from data from atomic bomb survivors, patients treated for acute mastitis and tuberculosis patients monitored by fluoroscopy. Therefore the radiation received by the untreated breast during breast irradiation of the other breast, is of concern to clinicians. Using thermoluminescence dosimeters, we have measured the dose received by contraleteral breast of six patients during radiation therapy. Most of the dose received will be from the collimator scatter and leakage. We investigated the effect of an absorber, superflab, in reducing the skin dose to contralateral breast. With the overlaying of a cm superflab on the breast, the skin (surface) dose could be reduced by 40-75% of its original value. This is an effective and practical method of reducing significantly the dose to contralateral breast during breast conservation therapy. Superflab can be made conveniently at low cost.