International Atomic Energy Agency pledges more help for cancer victims

The United Nations International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) today marked World Cancer Day with a pledge to help victims of the disease through radiotherapy.

The vast majority of new cancer cases are projected to strike in developing countries. In response, the IAEA set up its Programme of Action for Cancer Therapy (PACT) to help poorer countries confront the growing cancer crisis by integrating radiotherapy into comprehensive cancer control efforts.

“As it celebrates its third birthday on World Cancer Day, PACT can claim significant progress in building effective relationships with a broad array of stakeholders, initiating six pilot projects and gaining increasing support from Member States,” said IAEA Director General Dr. Mohamed ElBaradei in a statement on the Day.

Approximately 84 million people will die of cancer in the next 10 years, more than 70 per cent of them in low-income countries, unless action is taken now, according to the World Health Organization.

“The IAEA commends all organizations, agencies and individuals engaged in the battle to defeat this dreadful disease,” said Mr. ElBaradei, anticipating “continued collaboration with international partners to help bring hope to cancer patients, to relieve their suffering and to save lives.”