GCR News

The fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic and the war in Ukraine have resulted in unprecedented delays in cancer care. Not only have patients been displaced by the war, but trainees and physicians have been greatly impacted as well. The GCR in collaboration with resident and author, Kyra M. McComas, sends a strong call to action to all radiation oncology residents in this article to join the efforts to advocate for radiation oncology as a field and collaborate globally.

The invasion of Ukraine by Russia on Feb 24, 2022, has created a massive humanitarian crisis for Europe and degraded or destroyed a wide range of health-care infrastructures, including cancer care. The Global Coalition for Radiotherapy with the support of the Radiotherapy Task Force has been working to understand the impact of this conflict and gather lessons learned to help ensure sustainability for the future, and build back better with radiotherapy at the heart of the recovery plan.

MedRad Research highlights the GCR as one of the growing global radiotherapy advocacy groups dedicated to increasing awareness of RT.

Noncoronavirus patients face delayed elective surgeries and medical procedures for other illnesses

The humanitarian crisis in Ukraine promoted a huge outpouring of support. The GCR was asked to submit this editorial in the ASTRO Advances in Radiation Oncology to share how the radiotherapy community is responding to the challenges our Ukrainian colleagues are facing and how to maintain radiotherapy services in a war.

Summarising his presentation in the GCR World Cancer Day Webinar, Paul Naine, director of global clinical operations at Elekta, explains why evolving human capabilities alongside technology is the key to improving access to radiation therapy.

The GCR is listed as one of the many resources intended for clinicians, health professionals, patient advocates, and those aiding in the humanitarian effort.

As global access to radiotherapy is often overlooked, the author recommends device manufacturers can help advocate for radiotherapy at a political, policy, industry, scientific, patient and national cancer plan level by becoming members of organisations like the Global Coalition for Radiotherapy.