Global access to radiation therapy could save four million lives

Experts are urging new policies that provide access to radiation therapy (also called radiotherapy) for those in the developing world, following research which suggests the health and economic benefits for third world countries would far outweigh the investment.

New Australian research shows that approximately four million people in the developing world would benefit from receiving radiation therapy. However, barriers to access and training are preventing many cancer patients from receiving proper treatment.

The results of the study will be presented by Dr Mei Ling Yap at the 67th Annual Scientific Meeting of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Radiologists (RANZCR) held on the Gold Coast today.

“Our research shows that an estimated four million people with cancer in low and middle income countries could benefit from radiation therapy. These potential benefits from radiation therapy include saving lives, preventing cancer from returning or improving symptoms,” said Dr Yap. “There is a misconception that cancer is a “rich man’s disease” with awareness and treatment often targeted to developed, high-income countries and therefore not considered a priority in the developing world. However, it continues to be the leading cause of death worldwide.

By providing access to this cost-effective treatment for those in developing countries we can help make a positive impact to their health status.” Cancer in developing nations predominantly affects younger people.

Dr Yap’s research has also been part of a larger international research group, the Global Task Force in Radiotherapy for Cancer Control (GTFRCC) and the combined findings of this group demonstrated that by investing in broader access to radiation therapy, developing economies would see a positive upturn within 10-15 years.

This is due to the many young lives saved through treatment and the subsequent contributions to the economy and society that these healthy citizens would make. The results are part of a three-year research project, which investigates the global need for radiation therapy and ways of connecting developing nations with better access to treatment.

Cancer causes more deaths worldwide than the top three infectious diseases plaguing developing nations – AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis combined.