Regional collaboration to improve quality of radiation therapy in Asia. Issue 4 (14th December 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Gondhowiardjo, Soehartati A; Handoko, ; Tham, Ivan; Giselvania, Angela; Bilimagga, Ramesh S; Octavianus, Steven; Hiraoka, Masahiro; Jayalie, Vito Filbert; Tamaki, Tomoaki; Calaguas, Miriam; Nakano, Takashi
• Is Part Of: Journal of medical imaging and radiation oncology. Volume 65:Issue 4(2021)
• Page Start: 424
• Page End: 430
• Publication Date: 2020-12-14
• Subjects: Asia -- cancer -- quality -- radiation therapy -- regional collaboration; Radiology, Medical -- Periodicals; Radiology, Medical -- Australasia -- Periodicals; 616.0757
• DOI: 10.1111/1754-9485.13133
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1754-9477

Abstract

Summary: In Asia, several challenges hinder the delivery of high‐quality cancer treatment, especially radiation therapy (RT). Many Asian countries face large‐scale shortage of RT centres and treatment machines. Additionally, there is also a significant technological gap, with many RT centres in Asia still using outdated technology. There is an urgent need to improve radiation treatment quality in Asia. The Federation of Asian Organizations for Radiation Oncology (FARO) was set up to foster regional collaboration, which we believe can help to identify and solve some of these issues collectively. This report describes the background and rationale of starting FARO, and puts forth some of the early achievements of the group, including fact‐finding and educational activities. Finally, we discuss future possibilities, including strategic proposals that may benefit the RT community and our patients in Asia.