Reactor shutdown impacts nuclear medicine

Toronto -- The shutdown of a nuclear reactor in Canada is causing delays in tests for cancer and other critical diseases that rely on radioactive isotopes.

The Chalk River nuclear reactor in Ontario produces medical isotopes used in imaging techniques to test and diagnose diseases.

The shutdown forced many London, Ontario, and other regional centers to cancel or ration their supply of the isotopes, which has diminished by at least 70 percent, the London Free Press said Friday.

"It has a significant impact on our ability to deliver nuclear medicine diagnostics to our patients," Glen Kearns, with St. Joseph's Health Care and London Health Sciences Center said Thursday.

Dr. Carol Sawka of Cancer Care Ontario said alternative test procedures exist when radioactive isotopes are not available.

"It may not be ideal, but it is adequate," Sawka said.

Copyright 2007 by United Press International.