Accurate dosimetry for quality cancer care. The IAEA/WHO Network of Secondary Standards Dosimetry Laboratories

More than half of cancer patients require radiation therapy at some point during their treatment. The outcome of treatment can change significantly if the amount of radiation differs by even as little as 5% from the intended radiation dose. To provide patients with highly accurate doses of radiation, it is essential for measurement equipment to be set up and operated properly. Radiation doses are measured using specific measuring equipment called dosimeters. These devices play a central role in ensuring accurate dosimetry, which is the science of measuring, calculating and assessing radiation doses. To ensure accurate dosimetry, measuring equipment needs to be calibrated regularly. This is done by cross checking the devices' performance against national reference standards maintained by national calibration laboratories, such as secondary standards dosimetry laboratories (SSDLs). These reference standards are traceable and linked to the International System of Units (SI).