Trinidad-and-Tabago-Congerss-Abstract-Book

20 th ISRRT World Congress 2018
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Designs for an integrated MR-Linac were proposed as early as 2000, however treatment units have only just started to
be installed and used clinically. Given the complexity of the engineering problems of combining an MRI system with a
Linac development has been arguably slow. In 2014 the first MR-guided treatments were performed using on an MR-
Cobalt system produced by ViewRay Inc., who developed the technology to gain momentum and clinical experience in
MR-guided radiotherapy. In 2017 the first MR-Linac patient was treated as a ‘one off’ research protocol on an Elekta
prototype system and quickly followed by the implementation of a clinical service using a ViewRay MR-Linac system.
This presentation will introduce the rationale for the clinical use of MR-guided radiotherapy and give examples of clinical
cases from the early adopters to illustrate the benefit it offers. The challenges of building an MR-Linac will be discussed
and the engineering solutions will be presented without the use of complex equations! Attending this lecture will give
the audience an excellent overview and appreciation of this new technology, how we expect it to benefit patients and
its role in achieving daily on-table adaptive treatments and contributing to moving us towards a personalised
radiotherapy approach.
MAMMOGRAPHY
Perceptions of Breast Cancer and Utilization of Mammography in Ghana M1-1
Terry Konn-Karangwa
Professor; Educational Consultant, Brookdale College, USA
Purpose: The presentation will share results of a recent study that examined the knowledge and perceptions creating
opportunities and potential barriers to breast cancer education and initiation of earlier patient referrals to mammography
and breast cancer services in Ghana. Introduction: Breast cancer is one of the most common cancers in Ghana,
however preventative measures and diagnostic testing is not used regularly by Ghanaian women resulting in delays
and late stage diagnosis, poor quality of life after diagnosis and lower survival rates.
Methods: More than 200 structured interviews with female patients, and nurses, physicians, and other health care
providers responsible for direct patient care at local health centers were conducted to identify potential barriers with
health education efforts and timely patient referrals to mammography and treatment.
Results: Results provide an insight into the influence health care providers have on patient decisions to seek care in
a timely manner and the strengths and weaknesses of current health education practices.
Conclusion: Ghanaian women are not knowledgeable about breast cancer and methods of early detection and
treatment and health care professionals lack training, educational resources and dedicated time to educate and counsel
patients effectively. Radiologic Technologists must play a more active role in patient education.
Image Quality and Patient Radiation Dose in Mammography at a Major Nepali Hospital M1-2
Ganesh Bahadur Pokharel, Anders Widmark 1,2,3,4 Jorunn Widmark 1,2,5 and Ganesh Bahadur Pokharel 1,6,7
1 Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital, 2 University Hospital of North Norway, 3 Norwegian Radiation Protection
Authority, 4 Gjøvik University College, 5 Oslo University Hospital, 6 National Academy of Medical Sciences, 7 Nepal
Radiological Society, Kathmandu, Nepal
Purpose: Good quality images are key in mammography to find small lesions at early stage which are crucial to cure
a patient. Skilled radiographer and regular quality checks of dedicated radiographic equipment and chemicals used in
developing process are important to ensure consistently superior images. The dose projected should be also taken
care of since mammary glands are considered highly radiosensitive (ICRP 2007).
Methods: Since mammography has one of the most difficult projection technique, an experienced and a moderately
experienced radiographer were employed and given daily instructions. Images of 4.5cm tissue equivalent phantom with
common exposure settings (AEC) were taken two times a day. Under controlled temperature, images were exposed
and a sensitometer strip was developed. These actions were performed for two weeks (fourteen days) starting with the
change of chemicals in the first day. The contrast values obtained were compared with those that were recommended
by Norwegian National Mammography Screening Program.
20 th International Society of Radiographers and Radiological Technologist, World Congress
April 12 – 15, 2018 • Hyatt Regency Trinidad, Wrightson Road, Port of Spain, Trinidad, W.I.
Website: www.isrrt2018.org.tt Email: queries@isrrt2018.org.tt