Small Steps, Big Difference. The IAEA Helps Member States Fight Cancer

Over 50% of cancer patients need radiotherapy during the course of their treatment. Sadly, in the developing world, only 20% of patients who need radiotherapy have access. One radiotherapy machine can treat about 500 cancer patients every year. In 2009 the IAEA challenged manufacturers to make radiotherapy more affordable by creating machines less susceptible to heat and fluctuating electricity supply. The Advisory Group on increasing Access to Radiotherapy Technology in developing countries (AGaRT) was formed to realize this goal. Fighting cancer requires more than greater access to radiotherapy, and much more than the IAEA's efforts. It requires collaboration among local and international organisations, governments and NGOs to ensure that radiotherapy is integrated into a sustainable and effective cancer control system. The IAEA's Programme of Action for Cancer Therapy (PACT) offers comprehensive assessments of Member States' cancer control capacities and needs, identifying strengths and weaknesses. Since these impact reviews began in 2005, 55 countries have been assessed.