NEWTON, MA – A cluster of cancer diagnoses among nurses working in the same unit at Newton-Wellesley Hospital has sparked alarm and calls for a transparent investigation from hospital staff and their union. At least ten nurses who worked closely together in the hospital’s interventional radiology and cardiac catheterization lab units have been diagnosed with aggressive forms of cancer over a relatively short period, raising urgent questions about potential workplace environmental causes.
The situation came to light as nurses compared notes and realized the alarming number of their colleagues facing similar health battles. The cancers reported include thyroid cancer, breast cancer, and other forms, primarily affecting individuals under the age of 50.
In response to the growing concern, the Massachusetts Nurses Association (MNA), the union representing the staff, has formally demanded that hospital administration conduct a comprehensive and independent review of the worksite.
“We have ten of our colleagues, our friends, who are fighting for their lives. This is not a coincidence; it’s a crisis,” said a veteran nurse from the unit who wished to remain anonymous for fear of retaliation. “We need to know if something in our workplace made us sick. We deserve answers, and our patients deserve to know this environment is safe.”
The primary focus of the investigation demanded by staff centers on potential exposure to radiation and hazardous chemicals. Interventional radiology and cardiac catheterization labs routinely use fluoroscopy, a type of medical imaging that provides a live X-ray feed. While strict safety protocols are mandated, staff are concerned about the cumulative effect of low-level exposure, the integrity of shielding equipment, and the effectiveness of safety protocols over time.
In a statement, a spokesperson for Newton-Wellesley Hospital, part of the Mass General Brigham system, said, “The health and safety of our staff and patients is our highest priority. We are aware of these concerns and are taking them very seriously. We are in the process of reviewing the matter.”
However, staff and the MNA argue that the hospital’s response has been slow and insufficient.
“A review is not enough. We need a full, independent environmental audit conducted by a third-party expert, not an internal report,” said Mary Turner, an MNA representative. “This must include testing for radiation levels, chemical exposure, and a thorough epidemiological study. The hospital has a moral and ethical obligation to determine if there is a link and to mitigate any and all risks immediately.”
The distressed staff points to a similar, high-profile case at a Seattle hospital several years ago, where a cluster of brain tumors was linked to inadequate safety protocols for handling hazardous drugs. They fear a parallel situation is unfolding at Newton-Wellesley.
The calls for action are not just about the past but are crucial for the future. The nurses are demanding that the hospital:
- Immediately commission an independent, third-party investigation into all potential environmental hazards in the affected units.
- Provide full transparency and regular updates to the staff throughout the investigation process.
- Ensure all current safety protocols are not only up to code but are being rigorously followed.
- Offer comprehensive health monitoring and support for all current and former staff who worked in the units in question.
“We walked into this hospital every day to care for others,” said another affected nurse. “Now we’re the ones who need care and answers. We need to know that this won’t happen to anyone else.”
As the investigation begins, the close-knit nursing community at Newton-Wellesley is left waiting and worrying, hoping for answers that could save lives and prevent further tragedy.