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Every cancer patient life matters, and everyone can make a difference.
The UW Program for Global Oncology and Health Equity in Radiation Oncology is a faculty-led effort to leverage the UW Department of Radiation Oncology’s multi-faceted excellence, innovation, and commitment to serve globally in order to close gaps related to radiotherapy and cancer patient survival, side effects, and access to high-quality care. Implementing world-leading research, supporting the efforts of non-profit global cancer organizations, and reaching radiotherapy centers across Africa, Latin America, the Middle East, Eastern Europe, South Asia, and Southeast Asia, the program’s unique structure is a modern model that puts patient impact and healthy equity at the forefront of every initiative.
Motivated by local experience and compassion, we envision positive change on a global scale. Today, many settings struggle with common problems:
Difficulties accessing care – A global shortage of radiotherapy centers, providers, and awareness contributes to the majority of cancer patients globally not receiving the care they need for cure or to alleviate addressable pain and suffering.
Suboptimal quality care – Amidst limited-resources, gaps in training and continuing medical education exist that are often the key to providing the highest quality care. We want cancer care received to be the best it can be, no matter where the patient is.
Lack of political awareness – Globally, radiation oncology is one of the smallest fields in medicine. In fact, in the U.S., it accounts for less than 1% of cancer care costs, despite being used in over 50% of cancer patients. In many low- and middle-income countries, the lack of support and visibility of radiation oncology is even poorer. However, in these countries, radiotherapy is even more important (indicated in over 70% of patients due to more common advanced stages of disease). We need to improve this landscape.
For those of us who are familiar with the importance of having accessible, timely, and high-quality radiotherapy, this is an opportunity to give back to those who face similar challenges.
Our radiation oncology department is committed to addressing cancer care disparities locally, regionally, and abroad in low- and middle-income countries where over 70% of all cancer diagnoses occur, despite having far fewer combined resources than high-income counterpart countries. In fact, the state of Washington alone has more radiotherapy resources than most countries do in Latin America, Africa, the Middle East, and Southeast Asia. We have learned from our development and experience, and it is our academic mission to create and spread knowledge to help improve the world how we can.
