Abstract
Objectives
To assess women surgeons’ awareness of radiation protection protocols, cumulative dose, safety measures, radiation exposure, and breast cancer risk in India.
Methods
The data were acquired through a survey monkey questionnaire circulated to women orthopaedic surgeons across the country through the WOICE group, e-mails and phone. The questionnaire assessed the respondents’ awareness of radiation protection measures and level of exposure. Medical history on breast cancer during their professional life, time of diagnosis, and radiation exposure were collected. Data were analysed and expressed as percentages.
Results
Fifty-one women orthopaedic surgeons responded. These were sub-grouped into early and late-career group based on whether they had worked in orthopaedics for less than 10 years (n = 33) or 10 or more years (n = 18). The mean number of years of practice of the respondents was 8.1 years, and for the group with 10 or more years was 18.7 years. 90.2% reported compliance to the lead shield, while 9.8% (n = 5) were non-compliant because of the shield’s weight. Of the included respondents, 88.8% are currently working. Among all the respondents, only 13.7% (n = 7) use a radiation dosimeter. Not surprisingly, 88.2% (n = 45) of all respondents were unaware of the total radiation exposure received. Two surgeons in the more than 10-year practice category reported a history of breast carcinoma.
Conclusions
This preliminary report suggested a need for more awareness of radiation protection measures among women orthopaedic surgeons. Hence, along with the practice of wearing a lead gown, use of lightweight shield, awareness on exposure measure and use of radiation dosimeter should be encouraged.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Jain, A. K. (2016). Current state of orthopedic education in India and the number of women orthopaedics India (WOICE membership). Indian J Orthopaedics, 50(4), 341–344.
Tunçer, N., Kuyucu, E., Sayar, Ş, Polat, G., Erdil, İ, & Tuncay, İ. (2017). Orthopedic surgeons’ knowledge regarding risk of radiation exposition: a survey analysis. SICOT Journal, 3, 29.
Kesavachandran, C. N., Haamann, F., & Nienhaus, A. (2012). Radiation exposure of eyes, thyroid gland and hands in orthopaedic staff: a systematic review. European Journal of Medical Research, 17(1), 28.
Chou, L. B., Lerner, L. B., Harris, A. H. S., Brandon, A. J., Girod, S., & Butler, L. M. (2015). Cancer prevalence among a cross-sectional survey of female orthopedic, urology, and plastic surgeons in the United States. Women’s Health Issues, 25(5), 476–481.
Ronckers, C. M., Erdmann, C. A., & Land, C. E. (2004). Radiation and breast cancer: a review of current evidence. Breast Cancer Research, 7(1), 21.
Williams, P. M., & Fletcher, S. (2010). Health effects of prenatal radiation exposure. American Family Physician, 82(5), 488–493.
Chou, L. B., Chandran, S., Harris, A. H. S., Tung, J., & Butler, L. M. (2012). Increased breast cancer prevalence among female orthopedic surgeons. Journal of Women’s Health, 21(6), 683–689.
Ng, A. K., Kenney, L. B., Gilbert, E. S., & Travis, L. B. (2010). Secondary malignancies across the age spectrum. Semin Radiat Oncol [Internet]., 20(1), 67–78.
Jentzsch, T., Pietsch, C. M., Stigler, B., Ramseier, L. E., Seifert, B., & Werner, C. M. L. (2015). The compliance with and knowledge about radiation protection in operating room personnel: a cross-sectional study with a questionnaire. Archives of Orthopaedic and Trauma Surgery, 135(9), 1233–1240.
von Boetticher, H., Lachmund, J., & Hoffmann, W. (2008). Effective dose estimation in diagnostic radiology with two dosimeters: impact of the 2007 recommendations of the Icrp. Health Physics, 95(3), 337–340.
Grover, S. B., Kumar, J., Gupta, A., & Khanna, L. (2002). Protection against radiation hazards: regulatory bodies, safety norms, does limits and protection devices. Indian J Radiol Imaging, 12(2), 157.
International Atomic Energy Agency, Occupational Radiation Protection, IAEA Safety Standards Series No. GSG-7, IAEA, Vienna (2018). Vienna: International Atomic Energy Agency; 2018 (General Safety Guides)
Hafez, M. A., Smith, R. M., Matthews, S. J., Kalap, G., & Sherman, K. P. (2005). Radiation exposure to the hands of orthopaedic surgeons: are we underestimating the risk? Archives of Orthopaedic and Trauma Surgery, 125(5), 330–335.
Preface, Executive Summary and Glossary. Annals of the ICRP. 2007;37(2–4):9–34.
Livingstone, R. S., & Varghese, A. (2018). A simple quality control tool for assessing integrity of lead equivalent aprons. Indian J Radiol Imaging, 28(2), 258–262.
Valone, L. C., Chambers, M., Lattanza, L., & James, M. A. (2016). Breast radiation exposure in female orthopaedic surgeons. J Bone Jt Surg, 98(21), 1808–1813.
Dauda, A. M., Ozoh, J. O., & Towobola, O. A. (2019). Medical doctors’ awareness of radiation exposure in diagnostic radiology investigations in a South African academic institution. South Afr J Radiol, 23(1), 1–7.
Kamble, V. R., Mitra, K., Ratnaparkhi, C., & Dhote, S. (2015). Consultants knowledge and awareness about radiation exposure in diagnostic radiology in Central India. International Journal of Biomedical Research, 6(1), 14.
Soye, J. A., & Paterson, A. (2008). A survey of awareness of radiation dose among health professionals in Northern Ireland. British Journal of Radiology, 81(969), 725–729.
Sadigh, G., Khan, R., Kassin, M. T., & Applegate, K. E. (2014). Radiation safety knowledge and perceptions among residents. Academic Radiology, 21(7), 869–878.
Singer, G. (2005). Occupational radiation exposure to the surgeon. Journal of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, 13(1), 69–76.
Acknowledgements
We acknowledge Dr. Rujuta Mehta, who was instrumental in creating the WOICE group, an online platform for women orthopaedic surgeons in India and encouraging its members to respond to the survey. We acknowledge members of the WOICE for their support.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Ethics declarations
Conflict of interest
None.
Ethical standard statement
This article does not contain any studies with animal participants performed by any authors.
Informed consent
For this type of study, formal consent is not required.
Additional information
Publisher's Note
Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
John, A.T., Madhuri, V. A Preliminary Survey of Women Orthopaedic Surgeons on Awareness of Radiation Safety Practice and Breast Cancer Risk in India. JOIO 56, 452–456 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s43465-021-00524-0
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s43465-021-00524-0