September 7th is World Radiation Therapy Awareness Day, which aims to raise awareness about the importance of this method as a vital tool in the fight against cancer. Radiation therapy can cure cancer, alleviate symptoms, and improve the quality of life for millions of people around the world.
This method is one of the oldest established ways of treating oncological diseases and continues to play a central role in modern oncology, alongside surgery and chemotherapy. Its clinical history dates back to the late 19th century, following the discovery of X-rays and the early development of radiation-based treatment methods.
Despite its long-standing role in cancer treatment, access to radiation therapy remains highly uneven globally. Most of the world's population lives in low- and middle-income countries, yet these nations account for a disproportionately small share of global resources allocated to radiation therapy. According to Mitra Galibafian, head of the radio-oncology department at Mahak Hospital, historically developing countries comprised about 85% of the world's population but possessed only approximately 35% of radiation therapy facilities, highlighting a significant global gap in access to necessary cancer care.
Overall, estimates suggest that approximately half of all cancer patients will require radiation therapy at some point during their treatment; some estimates place this figure between 50–60%, depending on the type of cancer, stage, and chosen treatment strategy.
Radiation therapy also plays an important role in the diagnosis, staging, and treatment planning of childhood cancer. Advanced medical imaging is often necessary to determine the location and extent of a tumor, assess its relationship with surrounding organs and tissues, and monitor the response to treatment. When clinically indicated, radiation therapy itself is used to destroy cancer cells and control or eliminate tumors.
However, radiation treatment requires special attention in children, as growing and developing tissues may be more sensitive to radiation, and survivors may live for many decades after undergoing therapy. For this reason, pediatric radio-oncology is increasingly focusing on highly precise treatment methods that deliver the necessary dose directly to the tumor while minimizing exposure to healthy organs.