ESTRO meets Asia 2024 - Abstract Book

S128

Interdisciplinary – Global health

ESTRO meets Asia 2024

Results:

In the year 2050, the global projection anticipates a surge in new cancer cases to 33.1 million, with an estimated 21.2 million patients necessitating radiotherapy. This represents a substantial absolute increase of 8.4 million people from 2022 to 2050, signifying a 65.6 % growth. Notably, the majority of patients requiring radiotherapy in 2050 are anticipated to be in upper-middle-income countries, accounting for 38.8 % of the total. Projections indicate a demand for 47026 teletherapy units in 2050, marking a significant absolute increase of 18631 units compared to the 28395 units needed in 2022. Moreover, it is estimated 84646 radiation oncologists (ROs), 47026 medical physicists (MPs), and 141077 radiotherapy technologists (RTTs) needed in 2050. The current registration meets 87.0%, 72.6%, and 68.8% of estimated needs of ROs, MPs, and RTTs. A increase of 73.5% ROs, 107.1% MPs, and 109.7% RTTs are needed to meet the projected radiotherapy workforce requirements in 2050.

Conclusion:

The escalating global cancer burden stands as a prominent health crisis today. Urgent strategies are imperative to empower the global healthcare workforce, facilitating the safe treatment of both current and future patients and upholding the fundamental human right of access to proper healthcare. The data we provide offers a valuable resource for countries and institutions to estimate future cancer physician workforce requirements and anticipate radiotherapy needs. This information is essential for crafting comprehensive national, regional, and global development strategies. A collective effort from all stakeholders is warranted to enhance global accessibility to radiotherapy and address the pressing challenges in cancer care.

Keywords: global oncology, radiotherapy workforce

References:

[1] World Health Organization (WHO). Global Health Estimates 2020: Deaths by Cause, Age, Sex, by Country and by Region, 2000-2019. WHO; 2020. accessed February 6, 2024. who.int/data/gho/data/themes/mortality-and global-health-estimates/ghe-leadingcauses-of-death

[2] https://www.iarc.who.int/news-events/global-cancer-burden-growing-amidst-mounting-need-for-services/ (accessed February 6, 2024)

[3] Farmer P, Frenk J, Knaul FM, et al. Expansion of cancer care and control in countries of low and middle income: a call to action. Lancet. 2010;376(9747):1186-93.

[4] Barton MB, Frommer M, Shafiq J. Role of radiotherapy in cancer control in low-income and middle-income countries. Lancet Oncol. 2006;7(7):584-95.

[5] Jaffray DA, Knaul FM, Atun R, et al. Global task force on radiotherapy for cancer control. Lancet Oncol 2015; 16: 1144–46.

[6] Veljkovikj I, Ilbawi AM, Roitberg F, et al. Evolution of the joint International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), and WHO cancer control assessments (imPACT Reviews). Lancet Oncol. 2022;23(10):e459-e468.

[7] Atun R, Jaffray DA, Barton MB, et al. Expanding global access to radiotherapy. Lancet Oncol 2015; 16: 1153–86.

[8] Kassick M, Abdel-Wahab M. Efforts to improve radiation oncology collaboration worldwide. Lancet Oncol. 2021;22(6):751-753.