Protecting Female Medical Workers from Breast Cancer

Individual-Use Aprons

Protecting Female Medical Workers from Breast Cancer

Stephanie Phillips headshotBy Stephanie Phillips, BSN, RN

Breast cancer is the most common cancer in American women and the second leading cause of cancer death. Over 300,000 women are diagnosed with breast cancer every year in the U.S., and over 40,000 will die (American Cancer Society, 2020).

Research indicates a higher prevalence of breast cancer among female orthopaedic surgeons than female urology and plastic surgeons and other U.S. women. All three fields of surgery frequently use standard and mini fluoroscopy, which exposes the surgeons to ionizing radiation. It was concluded, however, that the orthopaedic surgeons have a higher than expected prevalence of breast cancer (Chou, et al 2015). 

One reason for the higher incidence of breast cancer in female orthopaedic surgeons could be the aprons worn during surgery are not the proper size or style; therefore, the aprons do not cover all of the breast tissue. The most common site of breast cancer is the upper outer quadrant (UOQ). This area of the breast is often exposed when an apron is too small or too large (Valone, et al, 2016). Other factors that possibly contribute to the higher incidence of breast cancer in this population are the position of the surgeon and c-arm during surgery. 

Burlington Medical is committed to protecting our customers from the harmful effects of repeated exposure to ionizing radiation. Typical radiation protection garments are not designed to fit around a woman’s curves. Traditional aprons that are worn lie flat across the chest, leaving the UOQ open to absorb scatter radiation.  Burlington Medical designers identified this need and developed a vest to give women better protection. 

The Princess Vest incorporates a seam in the front of the vest that allows the protective material to curve around the contours of a woman’s breast, providing better UOQ and axilla coverage than the average radiation protection garment. Designers are in the process of market-testing a sleeve that attaches to the Princess Vest that will enhance its coverage and protection of the axilla.

A donation of $5 from the sale of each Princess Vest is donated to support breast cancer patients in the Newport News, VA, area. 

 

Stephanie Phillips headshotBy Stephanie Phillips, BSN, RN

Breast cancer is the most common cancer in American women and the second leading cause of cancer death. Over 300,000 women are diagnosed with breast cancer every year in the U.S., and over 40,000 will die (American Cancer Society, 2020).

Research indicates a higher prevalence of breast cancer among female orthopaedic surgeons than female urology and plastic surgeons and other U.S. women. All three fields of surgery frequently use standard and mini fluoroscopy, which exposes the surgeons to ionizing radiation. It was concluded, however, that the orthopaedic surgeons have a higher than expected prevalence of breast cancer (Chou, et al 2015). 

One reason for the higher incidence of breast cancer in female orthopaedic surgeons could be the aprons worn during surgery are not the proper size or style; therefore, the aprons do not cover all of the breast tissue. The most common site of breast cancer is the upper outer quadrant (UOQ). This area of the breast is often exposed when an apron is too small or too large (Valone, et al, 2016). Other factors that possibly contribute to the higher incidence of breast cancer in this population are the position of the surgeon and c-arm during surgery. 

Burlington Medical is committed to protecting our customers from the harmful effects of repeated exposure to ionizing radiation. Typical radiation protection garments are not designed to fit around a woman’s curves. Traditional aprons that are worn lie flat across the chest, leaving the UOQ open to absorb scatter radiation.  Burlington Medical designers identified this need and developed a vest to give women better protection. 

The Princess Vest incorporates a seam in the front of the vest that allows the protective material to curve around the contours of a woman’s breast, providing better UOQ and axilla coverage than the average radiation protection garment. Designers are in the process of market-testing a sleeve that attaches to the Princess Vest that will enhance its coverage and protection of the axilla.

A donation of $5 from the sale of each Princess Vest is donated to support breast cancer patients in the Newport News, VA, area. 

 

Lindsey C Valone, M. M., Monique Chambers, M., Lisa Lattanza, M., & Michelle A James, M. (2016). Breast Radiation Exposure in Female Orthopaedic Surgeons. The Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery, 1808-1813.
Loretta B. Chou, M. L. (2015). Cancer Prevalence among a cross-sectional survey of female orthopedic, urology, and plastic surgeons in the United States. Women’s Health Issues, 476-481.