AMA urges stronger radiation protections

Editor's Note

Amid growing concerns about healthcare workers’ exposure to ionizing radiation and its associated cancer risks, the American Medical Association (AMA) House of Delegates called for increased protective measures and standardized guidelines, including improved exposure metrics, during their interim meeting in Orlando, Florida. MedPage Today reported the news November 14.

According to the article, delegates emphasized the need to "encourage public and private healthcare institutions to ensure more comprehensive coverage of different body types by providing PPE [personal protective equipment] that more completely protects employees of all genders and pregnancy statuses, such as lead and lead-free aprons with capped sleeves, axillary supplements, and maternity aprons."

The aprons often leave critical areas like the upper outer quadrant of the breast exposed. According to sources cited in the article, this is concerning due to evidence linking frequent radiation exposure to increased breast cancer risks among female surgeons, with studies showing up to a 3.9-fold increase in breast cancer prevalence among female orthopedic surgeons. Artificial torso studies further revealed inadequate shielding for these high-risk areas.

Speakers also advocated for tailored PPE designs that accommodate diverse body types and pregnancy statuses, including options like capped sleeves, axillary supplements, and maternity aprons, MedPage reports. Delegates further  called for collaboration between the AMA and organizations such as the American Association of Physicists in Medicine and the American College of Radiology to optimize radiation safety practices. They also proposed a comprehensive report on occupational radiation risks, which will be presented at the AMA’s 2025 interim meeting.