Fault at Lucas Heights nuclear reactor halts production of medical isotope

Spokesman says no safety risk but there are fears patients could face delays in cancer diagnosis

Patients in hospitals around Australia may face delays in cancer diagnosis after production of the most commonly used isotope in nuclear medicine was halted at the Lucas Heights nuclear reactor in Sydney's south.

The Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (Ansto) usually produces about 10,000 doses a week of Technetium-99m (Tc-99m), which is used to diagnose a variety of heart, lung and musculoskeletal conditions, as well as cancers.