A new linear accelerator, to be received from Varian Medical Systems next year, will significantly enhance the assistance the IAEA can provide to hospitals around the world on the safe and effective use of radiotherapy. The equipment will be provided under a partnership agreement signed today at the IAEA General Conference.
The use of linear accelerators, or linacs for short, in radiotherapy has been rapidly growing in recent years, and the IAEA has received an increasing number of requests to provide standards and guidance on their safe and effective use (see chart). Medical linacs use electricity rather than a radioactive source to generate electron beams or high energy x-rays for the targeted destruction of cancer cells.
“The new partnership will further enhance our capabilities to support Member States in the safe and effective use of linacs through the provision of dosimetry services and training of health care professionals working in radiotherapy,” said May Abdel-Wahab, Director of Human Health at the IAEA.
“Varian believes that access to high quality care is a key component in addressing the global cancer challenge,” said Michael Sandhu, Vice President for Global Market Access. “We applaud the IAEA for creating a facility for training professionals from around the world on how to deliver safe and effective radiotherapy treatments for cancer and we are pleased to be providing a Varian medical linear accelerator to assist the IAEA in its efforts.”
The dosimetry standards, guidance and audits provided by the IAEA help practitioners ensure that the right dose is delivered to patients, maximizing both the safety and effectiveness of radiotherapy. This is crucial, because too much radiation could damage healthy tissue, while too little radiation may not be effective in destroying cancer cells. “While the use of linacs in developing countries has been steadily increasing over the years, personnel involved in treating patients often need to be supported to get the training and experience to safely use this technology,” Abdel-Wahab said.
This partnership illustrates how the IAEA and the private sector can work together to achieve valuable results.