Whilst the introduction of MRI’s has gone some way to cutting down on the mortality rates from ionising radiation from x-rays and CT scans for medical staff and patients, and significantly improved the accuracy and speed of diagnosis and tracking of treatment, a study of electromagnetic field (EMF) exposure across all activities (including medicine) across the European Union is leading to a Europe wide ban. The risk to staff from MRI’s only exists when they are within 1 metre of the equipment. This will happen when someone under anaesthetic or unconscious for some other reason, or a child or an elderly person is having a scan, on when MRI is used to help in a surgical procedure.
News published to-day reads as follows:
Implementation of the Physical Agents (Electromagnetic Fields) Directive 2004/40/EC in all Member States could effectively halt the use of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), an important tool in cancer diagnosis, treatment, and research, a scientist told a press conference at the European Cancer Conference (ECCO 14) today (Monday September 24). The Directive is due to be implemented across Europe by April 2008.
There is already a protest underway from various oncology associations on behalf of patients, as MRI is the safest procedure to use in many instances and exposure to staff is minimal or non-existent.
I suggest you write to your M.P., the P.M., your Euro-M.P. and your local paper to protest and if you are a member of a support group, maybe get everyone to sign and also ask your oncologist what s/he is doing to protest about this.
Thank you for sharing this with us Jenny, this is obviously quite a concern, and not just for cancer patients. MRI scans have significantly improved diagnosis and treatment for a number of conditions and it would be an incredibly retrograde step to ban them.
What they ought to be doing is looking at ways to improve safety for staff.
Hi Jenny
Thanks for bringing this to our attention. I have just sent e mail to my local MP, I am very concerned about this as I finished treatment in March this year and have been told that I will have yearly MRI’s as my cancer did not show on initial mammogram even though it was grade 3, stage 3. It was also triple negative and had infected nodes so I am worried about re occurrence and am very scared as I feel that this is my only safety net. I would like to see this brought to peoples attention via local newspapers etc. as it affects many different illness’ or accidents. As Quisie says they should be looking at the safety of staff and ways round staff being present in the room.
Hi
I got a reply from one of the MEPs I wrote to. He has already written to Alan Johnson about this and was referred to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). He sent me the response from the HSE. They are clearly concerned about the impact of the Directive and is casting doubt on the science behind the Directive. They have already set up a working group to analyze what the impact would be on MRI use. The EC has apparently written to all member states saying that they are considering a delay to the implementation of the Directive. Sounds like its important to keep up the pressure. The minister responsible for the HSE is Bill McKenzie.
Jo
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I wrote to my MP [David Cameron] and have had a response in which he says he has referred my letter and concern to the Minister for Health. He will pass on the comments he receives.
It is clear from what he says that there is considerable concern about this cross party.
At least MRI’s are still being prescribed at present. I saw my gastro last week re my Crohn’s as I have a stricture in my small intestine. He has ordered an urgent MRI to see the extent of the stricture and whether resection surgery is necessary. In the 37 yrs of having Crohn’s, I have never had an MRI for Crohn’s but there again, never had a stricture until recently. Gastro says in view of my bc and five and a half weeks of rx, he is concerned about ionising radiation if he does another endoscopy. Feel very grateful I have a young consultant who has my best interests at heart, regardless of the cost to the NHS.
Does this proposed Directive only affect cancer, or other diseases? My husband has just had 2 MRI’s on his spine (one on the NHS, one privately) to help diagnosis a severe walking problem and numb feet.
Hi Liz
this will affect the use of MRI across all diseases. I’ve had responses for all the MEPs i wrote to and my MP has written to Alan Johnson. As Pheobe says there is clearly concern across all parties. But we need to keep the pressure I think. The European Commission is not the most flexible of institutions!
Best
Jo
My MP has referred this matter to the Minister. I haven’t heard back from my MEP yet.
Strangely, my oncologist had not heard of this, which is a bit troubling (although he does tend have alot going on at work right now on top of saving people’s lives). It sounds like the politicians are really concerned about this, so it is a bit disconcerting that my onc doesn’t seem to know anything about it.