Fighting cancer in developing countries

A network of dosimetry laboratories coordinated by the IAEA and the World Health Organization is helping experts to ensure that radiation doses reliably meet international standards and are safe and effective. IAEA safety standards play a central role in helping health authorities to set up cancer care services. Innovative and cost-effective educational tools developed by the IAEA help countries to move beyond limitations of geography and funding to build up a highly trained national pool of specialists, such as radiation oncologists and medical physicists. Access to cancer care requires the establishment of effective national cancer control systems. Supporting countries in offering comprehensive cancer care and improved radiotherapy services to an increasing number of patients became a key strategic goal of the IAEA. (author)