New European Partnership Designed to Increase Radiation Therapy Awareness

A new partnership has been agreed between a European cancer foundation and a human care company to optimize patient access to state-of-the-art radiation therapy in Europe.

The partnership will address patient access to radiation therapy, as part of the comprehensive cancer care cycle, in Eastern and South-Eastern Europe by initiating programs with industry and academic partners, and patient advocacy groups.

The European Society for Radiotherapy & Oncology (ESTRO) Cancer Foundation and Elekta agreed the new partnership. The ECF aims to provide access to state-of-the-art radiation therapy as part of a multidisciplinary approach for personalized cancer care. Elekta is a human care company that develops tools and treatment planning systems for radiation therapy, brachytherapy, radiosurgery, brain disorders, and software intended to enhance the cancer care workflow.

Senior VP Elekta, Region Europe, Francois Pointurier, said, "Elekta has had a strong relationship with ESTRO for many years. With the other partners working with ECF, we are stronger in our mission to ensure that individuals in every European country that could benefit from radiation therapy receive the treatment they need. With hope and hard work this partnership will radically improve the visibility of radiation therapy within Europe and parts of Asia. A 2013 Lancet study showed that dated cobalt 60 technology is still in significant use in parts of east and southeast Europe. In addition, in 28 of the 33 European countries studied, there were less than four radiotherapy machines per radiation therapy center. Especially in east and southeast Europe, countries need to expand and modernize their radiation therapy equipment."