The Society and College of Radiographers (SoR | CoR) would like to acknowledge differences in how radiation induced skin reactions (RISR) can present across different skin tones. Research highlights that within certain radiotherapy treatment sites will develop more severe RISR than others. This can not only be physically traumatic but can also cause lasting psychological distress to patients
Recent research has highlighted patients from ethnic backgrounds can have worse outcomes when compared to the white background patients. A recent UK wide survey of therapeutic radiographers that identified significant drops in confidence with assessing, managing and teaching RISR between lighter and darker skin tones. People were more confident when looking at lighter skin tones when compared to darker skin tones. The SCoR is committed to inclusivity and with recent evidence, hopes to help tackle this health inequality to ensure we provide the best, person-centred care possible for patients undergoing radiotherapy treatment.
Evidence on RISR describes erythema, skin tightening and swelling as acute changes that can be seen in the skin. However, there has been limited evidence in literature to how erythema can present on people with highly pigmented skin. The British Association of Dermatology describe predicting erythema on an individual’s skin as difficult due to variations between skin tones and changes in colour spectrum within the affected area. On less pigmented skin tones, erythema can present as redness but on darker, highly pigmented skin tones, this can present as subtle darkening within the affected area or texture changes to the skin
To find out more about, the data, the project, (being lead by RTUK Champion – Naman Julka-Anderson and Samaneh Shorak) and how to get involved, go here to the SoR website.
