As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to grip the world, healthcare workers are facing an unprecedented level of risk every day. Many of these workers, including nurses and doctors, are female, and they are often exposed to ionizing radiation that can lead to serious health problems. Despite the use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to protect against radiation exposure, recent studies have shown that current radiation PPE is failing to adequately shield female healthcare workers. In this article, we will explore the issues surrounding radiation exposure in the healthcare field, and why it is important to address the inadequacies of current PPE.
Healthcare professionals, particularly women, who are regularly exposed to ionizing radiation through X-rays and other imaging procedures, are at a higher risk of developing breast cancer. A recent article in The BMJ highlights the alarming fact that standard personal protective equipment (PPE) used during these procedures offers inadequate protection to the breast tissue, leaving the upper outer quadrant and axilla exposed, which is the most common site of breast cancer.
Although occupational radiation exposure has not been identified as a risk factor for male breast cancer, female healthcare workers are at a higher risk because of the sensitivity of breast tissue to radiation. The article argues that employers must invest in protective gear that ensures the safety of all employees, including additional protection such as capped sleeves and axillary wings to better shield vulnerable breast areas.
A study using artificial female torsos to measure radiation exposure found inadequate upper outer quadrant protection and no statistically significant reduction in dose when standard PPE was compared with a torso without PPE. Additionally, there is observational evidence suggesting an increase in breast cancer risk among female US orthopedic surgeons compared with an age-matched female population, and a small Finnish study showing breast cancer at 1.7 times the expected rate in radiologists, surgeons, and cardiologists compared with female physicians not working with radiation.
Therefore, the authors of the article argue that healthcare employers must consider this issue seriously and provide adequate breast covering PPE to reduce radiation exposure and help prevent breast cancer in female healthcare workers. They point to the Ionising Radiation Regulations 2017, which state that the radiation dose delivered to all workers should be As Low As Reasonably Achievable (ALARA), meaning that the most effective way to achieve this is by reducing the duration of exposure, increasing the distance from the source, and shielding all workers with effective PPE.
Furthermore, the European Society for Vascular Surgery 2023 Clinical Practice Guidelines on Radiation Safety has already recommended that female operators consider adopting additional protection, such as capped sleeves and axillary wings, to protect the upper outer quadrant of the breast. It is the legal requirement of an employer to provide appropriate protection to all workers exposed to radiation, so it is important that employers invest in protective equipment that enhances the safety of all their staff.
In conclusion, healthcare employers should invest in adequate protective gear that ensures the safety of all employees, including additional protection such as capped sleeves and axillary wings to better shield vulnerable breast areas. It is essential that adequate protective measures are taken to reduce the risk of breast cancer among female healthcare workers, who are regularly exposed to ionizing radiation through X-rays and other imaging procedures.
In conclusion, the issue of inadequate protection for female healthcare workers in regards to radiation exposure cannot be ignored. The current PPE offered in the industry is failing to provide the necessary level of protection needed to safeguard these professionals from potential health hazards. It is crucial that healthcare facilities and regulatory bodies take swift action to address this issue with updated PPE that is designed to fit and shield female workers. Every healthcare worker deserves the utmost protection, regardless of their gender, and it is our duty to ensure that they are given the necessary resources to perform their jobs safely and with confidence.
