To avoid preventable cancer-related deaths, a national cancer plan is a critical component to a country’s healthcare system. It is imperative they reduce incidence, lower mortality rates and improve the quality of life of patients. Despite 50-60% of cancer patients receiving radiotherapy during their course of treatment, radiotherapy is often neglected when cancer plans are developed. Additionally, technology in radiotherapy has rapidly evolved in the past 10 years making many cancer plans outdated.
To support global advocacy efforts aimed at improving cancer outcomes, the Global Coalition for Radiotherapy is facilitating a discussion to create a framework of key components that should be considered when developing or updating a national cancer plan. The 5 components:
- training and technical support
- quality and safety
- maintenance and service
- advocacy
- data and monitoring
are presented as living documents where you can provide feedback and additional contributions.