Advertorial | Protecting our healthcare workers from radiation-induced breast cancer and other health risks

Breast cancer remains Jamaica’s most common cancer, with more than 1,200 new cases and several hundred deaths each year, according to the Ministry of Health and Wellness. Preventing radiation-related cancers, therefore, supports national cancer control goals and should be of utmost concern among HCWs.

For many healthcare professionals, occupational exposure to ionizing radiation is an unavoidable yet manageable risk. Recent international research indicates that chronic low-dose occupational radiation exposure, accumulated over years of work in various imaging and therapeutic modalities, may increase the risk of breast cancer and other long-term health problems. As Jamaica continues to expand access and capacity in diagnostic imaging, interventional procedures, and radiotherapeutics, radiation protection and staff monitoring remain vital for prevention.

Protracted Occupational Radiation Exposure and Health Effects

Before modern radiation protection standards were introduced, a correlation between cumulative radiation dose and breast cancer incidence—particularly among female radiographers—was identified in the USRT Cohort Study (Rajaraman et al., 2016). The INWORKS cohort study, which conducted health surveillance of over 300,000 nuclear workers in France, the UK, and the U.S., also found that protracted exposure was linked to an overall increase in cancer mortality (Cardis et al., 2022). Similar findings on cancer incidence and mortality following long-term occupational exposure were reported in the UK NRRW Study (Haylock et al., 2018).

Breast tissue is highly susceptible to the carcinogenic effects of radiation, particularly in younger individuals, due to its radiosensitivity. In light of this, HCWs should be aware that women with a first-degree family history of breast cancer appear to have increased susceptibility to radiation-induced breast cancer, based on findings from the Swedish Hemangioma Cohort Study (Eidemüller et al., 2021).

Female specialist surgeons who frequently perform fluoroscopy-guided interventional procedures (FGIP) were found to receive notable scatter radiation to the breast and had a significantly higher prevalence of breast cancer compared to the general U.S. female population (Valone et al., 2016). Similarly, Cristófalo (2025) postulates that female physicians exposed to ionizing radiation have an 84% higher risk of breast cancer compared to unexposed physicians.

non-carcinogenic effects of chronic radiation exposure can also impair the functionality and structure of other organs. Zhao et al. (2022) conducted a systematic review of healthcare workers exposed to ionizing radiation and confirmed elevated markers of DNA damage, implying genotoxic stress that may precede cancer formation. Numerous other studies, including the U.S. Million Person Study, revealed that long-term occupational exposure increased the excess relative risk (ERR) of cardiovascular, neurovascular, ocular, and neurodegenerative outcomes—such as heart failure, cataracts, stroke, and Parkinson’s disease (Jahng et al., 2024; Picano et al., 2012; Boice et al., 2023).

In conclusion, protracted low-dose radiation exposure can have both carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic health consequences for HCWs over the course of their careers.

Jamaica’s Radiation Protection Landscape

To protect both patients and professionals, the Government of Jamaica (GOJ) enacted the Nuclear Safety and Radiation Protection Act (NRSPA, 2015) and its Regulations (2019), administered by the Hazardous Substances Regulatory Authority (HSRA). Its mandate aims to regulate all facilities using ionizing radiation generators and sources across all sectors.

According to the HSRA, just over 50% of facilities using ionizing radiation in Jamaica are now formally authorized, following several years of operation. This regulatory framework is essential for Jamaica, as compliance with globally recognized standards is a prerequisite for accessing and benefiting from international partnerships, agencies and supply chains.

Practical Radiation Protection Strategies

1.

Apply the ALARA/P Principle: Keep radiation exposure As Low as Reasonably Achievable/Practical by implementing optimization strategies in radiation exposing procedures / studies.

2.

Conduct Radiation Shielding Evaluations: Assess potential primary and secondary radiation exposure areas and install the recommended shielding materials to reduce exposure within national dose limits.

3.

Use Radiation Monitoring Badges, Dosimeters, and PPE: Always wear a radiation badge to monitor your dose. Lead aprons must fit securely over the breast and axilla to reduce scatter radiation. Thyroid shields and lead glasses are also recommended. Perform regular integrity testing of PPE, as it degrades over time and may allow radiation to pass through cracks.

4.

Implement Radiation Protection Plans (RPPs) and Designate Radiation Safety Officers (RSOs): RPPs provide guidelines to minimize or eliminate radiation exposure to patients, staff, and the public. RSOs help to maintain a strong radiation safety culture among staff.

5.

Establish Health Surveillance Programs: Workers with long-term or high exposure should undergo periodic occupational health assessments and participate in cancer-screening programs (e.g., breast, eye, carotid artery, and thyroid screening).

6.

Conduct Compliance Audits: Every facility using ionizing radiation must be licensed by the HSRA and should undergo routine radiation safety audits.

Why Radiation Protection Matters

Radiation is an indispensable tool in modern medicine. However, this comes with both costs and responsibilities. HCWs should take ownership of their health by undertaking regular medical checks and promoting radiation safety in the workplace. Facility owners are responsible for ensuring a safe environment through proper provisions and training, in line with NSRPA regulations and the recommendations of a Qualified Expert or Medical Physicists. Protecting HCWs means protecting patients, families, and the future healthcare workforce.

For more details and consultation, check our website at https://www.pradradiation.com/, follow our IG page,https://www.instagram.com/pradradiation, or contact Mr Rahje shields, Country Manager & Medical Physicist, Prad Radiation via rshields@pradradiation.com