This study reports on natural radioactivity levels and radiation risk estimates from soil samples collected in five villages near the Manyoni Uranium Deposit in central Tanzania. The mean activity concentrations of 40K, 232Th, and 238U were 207 Bq kg−1, 78 Bq kg−1, and 302 Bq kg−1, respectively. While 40K levels were below the world average, the levels of 232Th and 238U were more than 1.7 and 9.2 times higher than world average values. The average absorbed dose rate for the area was 196 nSv h−1. Annual effective dose estimate values for outdoor and indoor exposure were 0.24 mSv and 0.96 mSv, respectively, exceeding global averages by 3.4 and 2.3 times. Based on the average external hazard index (Hex = 1.19) and excess lifetime cancer risk (ELCR = 0.46%), there is a potential risk of radiological effects from radiation exposure, with Mwanzi Village identified as a high background radiation area.

Curability and effective management of breast cancer are dependent on its early detection. Early diagnosis strategies focus on providing timely access to breast cancer treatments by reducing barriers and improving access to effective early diagnosis. Mammography is the screening method of choice but suffers from degrading effects of scatter photons obstructing visualization of ductal carcinoma in situ and micro-calcifications in the breast. Quantitative evaluation of scatter suppression by anti-scatter grid using the beam stopper method has been investigated. Breast tissue equivalent phantom, polymethyl methacrylate was evaluated at X-ray mammographic nominal energy ranges. The anti-scatter grid used had aluminium interspace material and carbon fibre covers with varying grid features. Transmitted scatter and primary photon to the detector was analysed and evaluated. A scintillator type detector–model a Dexela 2315 MAM of size 290.8 ×229.8 mm having a resolution of 3072×3888 pixels was used. Transmitted scatter values in the range of 0.123 to 0.243 across the polymethyl methacrylate thickness of 10 mm to 80 mm were observed, whereas transmitted primary values recorded ranged from 0.713 to 0.495. Object, anti-scatter grid and X-ray energy exposure factors influenced the scatter fraction significantly. Improved mammography images showed significant improvements with this scatter reduction method using anti-scatter grid. Keywords: Digital mammography; Anti-scatter grids; Breast screening; Scatter image artifacts; Beam stopper method;

The efficacy of high dose rate (HDR) brachytherapy for cervical cancer is often constrained by the high radiation exposure to the healthy tissues that surround the tumor consequently diminishing the therapeutic benefits of the technique. A promising approach to mitigate this challenge is the use of high atomic number (Z) nanoparticles, such as Gold nanoparticles (GNPs), Gadolinium nanoparticles (GdNPs) and Iodine nanoparticles (INPs), which act as radioation dose enhancers. This study evaluates the influence of GNPs, GdNPs and INPs nanoparticles on dose absorption during 192Ir HDR brachytherapy using Geant4 based Monte Carlo (G4MC) simulation. The study deployed nanoparticles of various concentrations ranging from 3 mg/g to 30 mg/g. It was found that the presence of these nanoparticles significantly increases the dose in the tumor with GNPs causing higher dose deposition to the tumor than it is the case for GdNPs and INPs. It was further observed that the Dose Enhancement Factor (DEF) depends on the concentration and type of the nanoparticles. The maximum DEF was obtained at the concentration of 30 mg/g for each type of nanoparticle with the corresponding values being 1.82 for GNPs, 1.42 for GdNPs and 1.38 for INPs. These results indicate that incorporation of GNPs, GdNPs and INPs in HDR brachytherapy can enhance the efficacy of cancer tumor eradication. Hence, the use of GNPs during HDR brachytherapy at the concentration of 30 mg/g is recommended for effective cervical cancer treatment and management.