Are Oncologists Exposed To Radiation?
Radiation oncologists provide crucial treatment for cancer through procedures like radiation therapy. Given that radiation therapy emits high doses of radiation to targeted areas to kill cancer cells, it’s common to wonder about exposure risks for professionals on the radiation oncology team, including oncologists, radiation therapists, and radiation oncology nurse practitioners.
At Radiological Care Services (RCS), we’re here to help you maintain radiation safety in healthcare by sourcing the right personal protective equipment (PPE) like lead aprons and keeping your protective garments clean, inspected, and maintained.
In this article, we’ll discuss exposure risks in oncology and safety recommendations from essential governing bodies. Read on for all the information.
Do Radiation Oncologists Get Exposed To Radiation?
There are occupational risks for radiation oncologists and nurses involved in radiation to treat cancer. These specialists are often present in treatment rooms or assisting with daily radiation treatments, and therefore, must follow strict safety protocols to minimize exposure.
A study published in February 2025 emphasized the need for standardized healthcare training before administering radiation therapy to ensure all precautions are taken to reduce exposure for staff and patients.
Fortunately, radiation exposure can be reduced significantly with the appropriate safety measures in place, such as wearing PPE like lead aprons and thyroid shields.
What Safety Measures Minimize Radiation Exposure?
The American Cancer Society recommends following the principles of ALARA (as low as reasonably achievable) when oncologists and nurses are involved in radiation therapy. The guidelines of ALARA state that radiation safety programs should consist of three key steps: time, distance, and shielding. They go as follows:
Time: Minimize the time of exposure as much as possible. A certain amount of time is required for proper cancer treatment, but oncology staff members will monitor and record the time of exposure to keep it as low as possible.
Distance: Increase distance from the radiation source when the room and procedure allow it. The American Cancer Society also mentions that certain types of radiation therapy can cause patients to emit radiation afterward, where maintaining a distance of at least 1 arm's length from the patient or using proper shielding would be essential.
Shielding: Wearable PPE such as lead aprons, thyroid collars, and glasses shield crucial organs that are sensitive to radiation. Healthcare workers can also use mobile lead barriers to provide additional protection. Shielding is vital since time and distance can’t always be reduced during procedures.
In addition to following ALARA, the National Institutes of Health also recommends that all staff members wear personal dosimeters to track and monitor their radiation doses.
What Kind Of Radiation Do Oncologists Use?
The main types of radiation used for cancer treatment in oncology are X-rays, gamma rays, or high-energy particles.
The National Cancer Institute states that there are two main forms of radiation therapy used during treatment: external beam radiation and internal beam radiation.
The National Institutes of Health states that external beam radiation is the most common type of radiation therapy used. External treatment involves using targeted radiation outside the patient’s body. The most common machine used is a linear particle accelerator that emits X-rays.
In contrast, internal beam radiation places radioactive implants at a focal point inside the patient where cancer cells are present. The National Institutes of Health mentions that the most common type is brachytherapy, which emits gamma rays and beta rays.
The form of radiation therapy and equipment involved can impact exposure risks and safety requirements, so it’s important to consult with your facility’s radiation safety officer (RSO) to ensure all proper precautions are taken.
What Is The Difference Between A Radiation Oncologist, An Oncologist, And A Radiologist?
Radiation oncologists focus on using radiation for treatment, while medical oncologists specialize in systemic therapies like chemotherapy. These professionals often collaborate on a treatment plan, especially in cases requiring chemoradiation for cancers such as prostate cancer, breast cancer, or head and neck cancers.
Radiation Oncologist Vs Oncologist
Radiation oncologists and oncologists provide cancer care in different ways.
Radiation oncologists use radiation therapy to treat cancer. It’s a targeted form of treatment that’s meant to eliminate cancer cells in precise areas of the body.
Oncologists perform cancer treatment that targets cancer cells throughout the body, such as chemotherapy. Chemotherapy doesn’t emit radiation, so there isn’t an exposure risk. However, chemoradiation which combines radiation therapy and chemotherapy, would involve both oncology and radiation oncology teams working together on a treatment plan, so it could increase exposure risks for medical oncology teams in those cases.
Radiation Oncologist Vs Radiologist
While a radiation oncologist is focused on treating cancer with radiation therapy, a radiologist focuses on using medical imaging to diagnose and treat a variety of medical conditions.
Do You Get Exposed To Radiation As A Radiologist?
Yes, but to a lesser degree. Radiation therapists and interventional radiologists can encounter higher exposure, especially during fluoroscopy procedures. Protective measures and routine dosimetry are vital for minimizing cumulative effects of effects of radiation over a career.
The American Cancer Society states that the average chest X-ray emits 0.1 mSv of radiation and the average mammogram emits 0.4 mSv. Despite those being lower doses, the American Cancer Society still stresses that it will add up for healthcare workers regularly taking images. Therefore, following ALARA, including using shielding like lead aprons, is essential.
Interventional radiologists who are involved in surgery for a variety of conditions are also highly exposed to radiation while using real-time imaging equipment, such as C-arm fluoroscopy. AORN states that the average C-arm emits 20 mSv (2 rem) of radiation per minute. Physicians often need to operate next to the radiograph tube during surgery, so wearable PPE is crucial for protection.
Conclusion: Staying Safe In Radiation Environments
Medical workers in radiology or oncology can be exposed to radiation during diagnostic imaging, cancer treatment, or interventional surgery. It’s important to implement proper safety measures to minimize occupational health risks involved in radiation exposure. Following the principles of ALARA and tracking exposure levels are great places to start.
How RCS Supports Your Radiation Safety Efforts
Our team at RCS is here to support your radiation safety efforts. We can help you source protective lead garments from top manufacturers for the shielding component of ALARA. We can source high-quality lead aprons, thyroid shields, vests, skirts, glasses, and mobile barriers.
Additionally, we provide services for ongoing lead garment maintenance to ensure it stays in top condition throughout its lifespan. We can assist with:
Deep cleaning and disinfection to remove harmful microorganisms that build up on lead garments
PPE inspection for lead garments using X-ray scanning to identify damage that can affect your garment’s effectiveness
Garment repairs to fix any damage identified
Garment disposal following the EPA’s policies for the disposal of heavy metals like lead
All the data is tracked and organized in our RADCOMPLY™ software to ensure you have the information ready for audits or internal compliance requirements.
Contact us today to learn more about how RCS can support you.