Prevention Of Accidental Exposures To Recipients Of Radiotherapy In Developing Countries

Abstract

Radiotherapy is concerned primarily with the safe use of ionizing radiation for the treatment of cancers for the purpose of cure or palliation. Radiation accidents are not uncommon and could have acute and chronic consequences for the patient ranging from a spectrum of acute radiation syndrome and poor disease control to life threatening and distressing complications. Accidents may be expected to increase in frequency in developing countries if measures for prevention are not taken. It is pertinent to learn from the causes and implications of the documented accidental exposures in radiotherapy in developed countries so as to prevent such accidents in our setting. There should be sound and risk-informed regulations and managerial commitment at the hospital level. There should also be an adequate number of trained staff, and resources with a functional quality assurance programme in place.

Keywords: radiotherapy, accidental exposures, developing countries, prevention

Annals of Nigerian Medicine Vol. 2 (2) 2006: pp. 9-14