The Fight Against Professional Illnesses in Healthcare

In recent years, the recognition of workplace-related illnesses has gained increased attention, especially among healthcare professionals. The tragic story of Marie-Pierre Sénéchal, a nurse at the Eugène-Marquis cancer center in Rennes, sheds light on the significant risks these workers face. Her case exposes a systemic issue involving the exposure of healthcare employees to toxic substances, often without adequate protections.

The Struggles of Marie-Pierre Sénéchal

Marie-Pierre Sénéchal dedicated her life to nursing, caring for countless patients battling cancer. Unfortunately, she herself fell victim to the disease, ultimately losing her life on November 16, 2020, at the age of 72. Despite her courageous fight, Marie-Pierre was not able to have her two cancers recognized as arising from her long-term exposure to carcinogenic substances and ionizing radiation while on the job.

As a mother of three, Marie-Pierre’s battle was not just one for herself, but also for her family and colleagues. She longed for her situation to be acknowledged, highlighting the importance of occupational health and the need for stronger safety protocols in hospitals. Her story is one among many, as she battled alongside other nurses facing similar fates.

Court Proceedings and Recognition of Occupational Illness

On May 27, nearly ten years after Marie-Pierre’s plight came to light, the social chamber of the Rennes judicial court examined her case, alongside that of her colleague Renée Bertin. Both women sought official recognition of their cancers as occupational diseases due to their exposure in the radiotherapy department.

Unlike Renée, who was unable to appear in court due to health challenges, Marie-Pierre’s case has become emblematic of a much larger fight. These workers deserve acknowledgment for their sacrifices, as they put themselves in harm’s way while caring for others.

The Risks of Working in Oncology

Marie-Pierre and her fellow nurses worked under conditions that many would find utterly unacceptable today. They began their careers young, often handling highly toxic products used in cancer treatment. Hermine Baron, the attorney representing these nurses, described the dangerous environment they faced.

For twenty-two years, they were regularly exposed to hazardous substances, often without adequate safety measures. They poured liquid iodine into cups for thyroid cancer treatments, handling soiled linens contaminated with radium without any protective gear. A disturbing trend emerged in the 1970s to 1990s, where healthcare professionals were told that their "best protection" was simply to work faster.

The risks of developing cancers, especially breast, colon, and lung cancers, were not adequately addressed during this period. While warning labels on the products clearly indicated potential cancer risks, the institutional response was woefully inadequate. The nurses fought not only for their lives but also for recognition that their work led to premature illness.

Dangerous Practices in Radiotherapy

To illustrate the dire conditions faced by these nurses, Hermine Baron detailed some of the daily tasks they undertook without proper safety protocols. They poured iodine directly, with no ventilation to mitigate inhalation risks. The lack of caution shown during the handling of dangerous materials emphasizes the negligence that has led to a public health crisis within hospital settings.

The consequences of working in environments lacking safety measures can be severe. With cancer diagnoses appearing all too frequently among healthcare workers, it becomes evident that preventive measures are needed. The absence of protective gear puts countless nurses and other medical professionals at risk.

The Judgment Awaited

As the court deliberates on these cases, it must weigh previous decisions made by the Regional Committee for the Recognition of Occupational Diseases (CRRMP). This committee, composed of medical experts, has ruled twice that no causal link exists between the nurses’ work and their cancers. However, attorney Hermine Baron insists that the court is not obligated to accept these conclusions, implying that the fight for justice for these women may still have a chance.

The decision on September 9 will set a significant precedent, potentially influencing the recognition of similar cases in the future. The outcome could signify a shift towards greater accountability for healthcare employers regarding worker safety.

Conclusion

The cases of Marie-Pierre Sénéchal and her colleagues are a stark reminder of the dangers faced by healthcare professionals. As these women continue to fight for recognition and justice, it brings to light the urgent need for better safety protocols in hospitals. Nurses and healthcare workers deserve environments free from the fear of illness caused by their work conditions.

Infirmière au centre de cancérologie Eugène-Marquis, à Rennes, Marie-Pierre Sénéchal est décédée le 16 novembre 2020. De son vivant, cette mère de trois enfants n’a pas pu faire reconnaître que ses deux cancers, qui ont fini par l’emporter à 72 ans, ont été causés par les produits cancérigènes qu’elle a manipulés pendant des années, sans protection, ou presque, et par des expositions répétées aux radiations ionisantes.

Ce mardi 27 mai, près de dix ans après le début de son combat, révélé dans les colonnes du Mensuel de Rennes, en juillet 2017, la chambre sociale du tribunal judiciaire de Rennes examinait son dossier et celui de Renée Bertin, une de ses collègues dans le même cas. De santé trop fragile, cette dernière n’a pas pu se rendre au tribunal. Toutes deux souhaitaient que leurs cancers soient reconnus comme maladie professionnelle.

Devant le tribunal judiciaire de Rennes, quelques minutes avant l’audience, une ancienne collègue de Marie-Pierre Sénéchal, Michel Besnard, du collectif de lutte contre les pesticides, et Defné, une des filles de Marie-Pierre Sénéchal. (Le Télégramme/Claire Staes)

« Pendant 22 ans, elles ont travaillé ensemble à Eugène-Marquis, en radiothérapie ou en chimiothérapie. Elles ont commencé très jeunes : à 20 ans, elles manipulaient des produits hautement cancérigènes, a démarré Hermine Baron, l’avocate brestoise des deux femmes. L’une a commencé par perdre son premier enfant à la naissance, d’une malformation cardiaque, puis a déclaré un cancer du sein, puis un cancer du côlon. Quant à la deuxième, elle a déclaré un cancer du côlon. »

Ces deux infirmières, comme 22 autres de leurs collègues, malades elles aussi, n’ont pas été protégées quand elles manipulaient des produits extrêmement toxiques. « Dans les années 1970 à 1990, les médecins disaient aux infirmières et aux aides-soignantes : votre meilleure protection, c’est d’aller vite », a expliqué Hermine Baron, avant de lister de nombreux actes quotidiens réalisés sans protection.

Versement d’iode dans des gobelets

« Sans la moindre aspiration d’air, elles versaient de l’iode liquide dans des gobelets pour soigner des cancers de la thyroïde. Elles prenaient à mains nues du linge souillé par du radium. D’ailleurs, pour les risques encourus quand elles travaillaient en radiothérapie, elles avaient des “congés rayons”. On sait que les cancers du sein, du côlon et du poumon sont les principales pathologies induites par irradiation médicale. Sur les notices des produits qu’elles manipulaient sans protection, ce qui est aujourd’hui complètement inconcevable, c’est marqué partout qu’il y a des risques de développer des cancers. Mais, quand il s’agit de les prendre en compte, il n’y a plus personne. Ces femmes ont perdu la vie en soignant les autres. »

Décision le 9 septembre

Pour juger, le tribunal devra mettre en balance qu’à deux reprises, le Comité régional de reconnaissance des maladies professionnelles (CRRMP), composé d’experts médicaux, a statué qu’il n’y avait pas de lien de causalité entre les maladies de ces infirmières et leur travail habituel. « Si ces avis s’imposent à l’organisme de sécurité sociale, vous n’êtes pas obligé de les suivre », a rappelé Hermine Baron. Le tribunal rendra sa décision le 9 septembre.

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