Nurses are at Risk of Chemotherapy Exposure and its Toxic Effect

According to a recent study, 17% of nurses who work in outpatient chemotherapy units are at risk of exposure to chemotherapy and their toxic effects when treating cancer patients.

Chemotherapy exposure can greatly affect the nervous system and reproductive system. It also causes various blood problems such as an increased risk in developing blood cancer in the future. Unfortunately, there is no evaluation nor prophylactic treatment once a nurse gets exposed. Needle pricks that can lead to infection with blood diseases is also risk nurses have to watch out for.

These incidents are observed in workplaces where there is inufficient staffing. Researchers are now studying certain precautionary measures nurses can take to better understand the effects of chemotherapy exposure and the steps that can be taken to prevent it.