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

D Rodin; J Longo; T Sherertz; M M Shah; O Balagun; N Wendling; J Van Dyk; C N Coleman; M J Xu; S Grover

doi:10.1016/j.clon.2016.11.008

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

Clin Oncol (R Coll Radiol). 2017 Feb;29(2):135-140. doi: 10.1016/j.clon.2016.11.008. Epub 2016 Dec 9.

Authors

D Rodin¹, J Longo², T Sherertz³, M M Shah⁴, O Balagun⁵, N Wendling⁶, J Van Dyk⁷, C N Coleman⁶, M J Xu⁸, S Grover⁹

Affiliations

¹ International Cancer Expert Corps (ICEC), New York, New York, USA; Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada.
² International Cancer Expert Corps (ICEC), New York, New York, USA; Department of Radiation Oncology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA.
³ International Cancer Expert Corps (ICEC), New York, New York, USA; Department of Radiation Oncology, University of California, San Francisco, California, USA.
⁴ International Cancer Expert Corps (ICEC), New York, New York, USA; Department of Radiation Oncology, Henry Ford Hospital, Detroit, Michigan, USA.
⁵ International Cancer Expert Corps (ICEC), New York, New York, USA; Department of Radiation Oncology, Cornell University Medical School, New York, New York, USA.
⁶ International Cancer Expert Corps (ICEC), New York, New York, USA.
⁷ International Cancer Expert Corps (ICEC), New York, New York, USA; Departments of Oncology and Medical Biophysics, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada; Medical Physics for World Benefit (MPWB), Canada.
⁸ Department of Radiation Oncology, University of California, San Francisco, California, USA.
⁹ International Cancer Expert Corps (ICEC), New York, New York, USA; Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA. Electronic address: [email protected].

PMID: 27955997
DOI: 10.1016/j.clon.2016.11.008

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.

Keywords: Cancer care; global health; health disparities; radiation oncology.

MeSH terms

Developing Countries*
Global Health
Health Services Needs and Demand
Healthcare Disparities*
Humans
Income
Neoplasms* / radiotherapy
Radiation Oncology*