Patient safety in an environment of rapidly advancing technology in radiation therapy

Cancer is one of the leading causes of deaths worldwide. The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that there were 8.2 million cancer deaths in 2012 and that annual cancer cases are expected to rise from 14 million in 2012 to 22 million in the next two decades. According to WHO, more than 60% of the world's total new annual cases occur in low and middle income countries and these cases account for 70% of the world's cancer deaths. India carries a significant share of global cancer burden and cancer-related mortality. The WHO estimates indicate approximately 1 million new cancer cases and 0.7 million cancer deaths annually in 2012. A ratio of 67% deaths per new case indicates a significant scope for improvement in cancer mortality in India