Population Screening Act: Use of Foil for Breast Compression in the Mammograph

Participation in the population screening programme for breast cancer may be an unpleasant experience for women, in the age of 50 to 75 years, who are being called to participate biannually. The National Reference Centre for Population Screening in Nijmegen and the Population Screening East, Nijmegen location wish to conduct research if relatively small changes to the mammograph may lead to improvement of the screening. These changes however, should not reduce the quality of the X-ray or enlarge the dose of radiation. The changes made to the mammograph comprise the application of a special foil to the surface that hold the breast. The foil should help to better retain the breast during the X-ray. Moreover, more breast tissue should be visible using this foil. On December 7, 2011, the Committee on Population Screening recommended the Minister of Health, Welfare and Sport to grant the requested license.