Mobilising Expertise and Resources to Close the Radiotherapy Gap in Cancer Care

Abstract

Closing the gap in cancer care within low-and middle-income countries and in indigenous and geographically isolated populations in high-income countries requires investment and innovation. This is particularly true for radiotherapy, for which the global disparity is one of the largest in healthcare today. New models and paradigms and non-traditional collaborations have been proposed to improve global equity in cancer control. We describe recent initiatives from within the radiation oncology community to increase access to treatment, build the low-and middle-income countries' radiation oncology workforce, mobilise more professionals from within high-income countries and raise awareness of the global need for equitable cancer care.

Comparative Analysis of Radiotherapy Linear Accelerator Downtime and Failure Modes in the UK, Nigeria and Botswana

“…Tackling the radiotherapy burden in LMICs is a complex task that requires multidisciplinary collaboration [8], [9], [10]. An International Cancer Expert Corps sponsored workshop held on the CERN campus in 2016 invited experts from fields including oncology and accelerator physics to consider future options, including innovative technology, for tackling this global problem [11].…”

Low complexity (e.g., 60Co teletherapy) is the appropriate level of radiotherapy for use in low‐income countries

“…Reddy 11 reported that if capital costs and service were equal, then linear accelerator technology would be considered superior to cobalt technology for modern‐day curative radiotherapy. The working group also noted that, “… the cost of one military jet fighter represents the entire cost for establishing and maintaining a radiation therapy service for most countries.” We also need to look at cancer management from a global perspective 3,7,12 rather than a two‐ or three‐tier system for low‐income, middle‐income, and high‐income economies when addressing healthcare. We should focus on solutions driven by type and stage of cancer as well as the reasons for treatment.…”

Radiotherapy teaching during COVID-19: An emergency teaching response

“… 6 Several international programmes have been launched over the last decade to address the need for additional RT machines in Africa, resulting in a steady increase in the number of megavoltage units being installed on the continent 7 and this in turn, has resulted in increased pressure to teach and train RT professionals to safely plan and operate the modern units and create safe clinical treatment plans. 8 …”