Market Trends of Global Medical Radiation Shielding Industry
Diagnostic Shielding Segment is Anticipated to Witness a Significant Growth Over the Forecast Period
Diagnostic X-rays and other radiation procedures frequently require medical personnel to remain in the exam room, where they are subjected to scattered radiation. Frequent exposure to radiation leads to many side effects. Sometimes, lead aprons offer valuable protection from radiation exposure, but there are times when a mobile lead radiation barrier is required to provide a full-body shielding barrier. The growing burden of chronic diseases and awareness of early diagnosis and treatment is anticipated to increase the diagnosis rate and further use of diagnostic radiation shields.
The rising concerns from medical agencies about the harmful effects of radiation are anticipated to drive market growth. For instance, as per the article published in June 2023 in the Radiologie (Heidelb) journal, the researchers demonstrated that the Radiation Protection Committee published a recommendation on the use of patient radiation shields by considering the recent findings on dose savings but also the risks of incorrect use. Hence, with the help of diagnostic shielding products, the proper diagnosis will be achieved with limited exposure to radiation, which is expected to fuel the segment growth over the forecast period.
The rising diagnostic examination globally is anticipated to increase the adoption of medical radiation shielding, driving market growth. For instance, according to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development in October 2023, the total number of computed tomography examinations in Australia and Costa Rica were 4,127,613 and 312,252, respectively, and magnetic resonance imaging examinations were 1,378,805 and 14,512, respectively, in 2022. Such a huge number of diagnostic examinations in the countries is anticipated to increase the adoption of diagnostic shielding, driving the market growth.
The various strategies adopted by the market players, such as product launches, mergers and acquisitions, and partnerships, are expected to boost the segment growth. For instance, in February 2022, Radiation Medical Ltd partnered with Mazowiecki Hospital's acquisitions of the Interventional Cardiology section in Ostroleka, Poland. Through the company's advanced fully-automated shielding technology, the hospital has the first installed system in Europe to support interventional cardiologists and medical staff from the fatal effects of X-ray radiation exposure.
Thus, owing to the increase in diagnostic shielding product adoption and diagnostic imaging, the segment studied is expected to witness significant growth over the forecast period.
North America is Expected to Witness a Significant Growth Over the Forecast Period
North America is expected to witness the largest market share, owing to factors such as the rise in prevalence of various chronic diseases, the growing adoption of nuclear medicines and radiology services, the strong presence of industry players, and better healthcare infrastructure in this region. The increasing focus of the government and awareness programs on radiation exposure among people working in radiation-prone environments are expected to bolster the market growth over the forecast period.
Radiation therapy is one of the significant treatment interventions used among cancer patients in the United States. This increase in cancer cases is projected to accelerate the demand for radiation shielding, boosting market growth over the forecast period. For instance, according to the American Cancer Society 2024 report, it was estimated that more than 2.0 million cancer cases would be diagnosed in the United States in 2024, an increase from 1.9 million cancer cases in 2023. Furthermore, around 88% of people diagnosed with cancer in the United States are 50 years of age or older, and 57% are 65 or older. Almost half of all people with cancer have radiotherapy as part of their treatment plan. With the increased use of radiotherapy among the population, the US government proposed a few strategic rules to reduce radiation exposure among workers.
For instance, in February 2023, a Radiological Health Regulation came into effect in the United States, which recommended ensuring radiation protection during medical procedures, certain records and reporting for electronic products, and performance standards for diagnostic x-ray systems and their major components, laser products, and ultrasonic therapy products. An increase in cancer screening programs across Canada is anticipated to create a demand for medical radiation shielding devices, leading to market growth over the forecast period.
For instance, in May 2022, BC Cancer launched a provincewide lung cancer screening program, which offers the access to eligible high-risk people at 36 sites throughout the province. Lung screening is available provincewide through 36 sites across all health authorities using the existing computed tomography (CT) scanning capacity. Thus, such cancer screening activities using CT are expected to utilize medical radiation shielding, bolstering market growth in North America over the forecast period.
Therefore, the high burden of cancer in the country and initiatives to improve cancer care and radiotherapies are expected to drive the growth of the market in North America over the forecast period.
