Majority cancer patients in developing countries lack treatment – IAEA

The United Nations nuclear watchdog agency today warned that the number of cancer patients in the developing world will double to 10 million new cases annually by 2015, most of whom will have no access to the radiation therapy that could save or prolong their lives, and decrease their pain and suffering.

“At least 50 to 60 per cent of cancer victims in the developing world can benefit from radiotherapy that destroys cancerous tumours, but most developing countries do not have enough radiotherapy machines or sufficient numbers of specialized doctors and other health professionals,” said Mohamed ElBaradei, Director-General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

Radiotherapy ranks with surgery as the most important methods of curing local cancer. It is often administered before surgery or after surgery to either facilitate surgery or consolidate surgical gains, and reduce local recurrence.

IAEA said there are insufficient facilities and qualified staff to adequately treat the victims of cancer in poorer nations. Developing countries – home to 85 per cent of the world population – have only about one-third of the total radiotherapy facilities, or some 2,200 radiation therapy machines. In contrast, the developed world has more than 4,500 treatment machines.

“The IAEA has been stepping up its efforts as the coming crisis in cancer management in the developing world has become more acute,” Mr. ElBaradei said. “Greater support from the international community is needed so that effective cancer treatment is more widely available in the less advantaged nations of the world.”

The agency supports the provision of radiotherapy equipment, training, quality assurance and maintenance in developing countries. It estimates that at least $2.5 billion will be needed to provide adequate treatment facilities over the next decade.

IAEA is working with key partners such as the UN World Health Organization (WHO) in establishing national cancer management programmes that include prevention, early diagnosis, treatment and palliative care. Studies show that in advanced countries with such programmes, the investment pays off – about 45 per cent of all cancers are cured.

Some 6 million people died from cancer in 2000, the last year for which full results are available. Cancer deaths will increase to 10 million per year by 2020, according to latest WHO estimates.