SACT safety guide: tips for nurses administering cancer drugs

Some nurses are unaware of the risks of handling cytotoxic systemic anticancer therapy (SACT) agents used in cancer treatment, which can be hazardous to health

• Nurses may be administering SACT agents daily, often for years, with a cumulative effect from being exposed to tiny doses
• Some NHS trusts are failing to provide the necessary equipment to protect nurses and keep them safe
• The SACT competency passport aims to standardise the competencies required for nurses across NHS trusts

Many nurses are unaware that some of the drugs they administer to patients could be hazardous to their own health, with experts warning that many are at a greater risk of developing cancer or experiencing reduced