India, March 6 -- More than half the cancer patients require radiotherapy as part of cancer care

The World Health Organization (WHO) released technical specifications of procuring, using and maintaining radiotherapy devices commonly used in treatment of cancer. The publication, produced in collaboration with International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), draws from a 2008 IAEA paper on radiotherapy technical specifications.

More than 50 per cent cancer patients require radiotherapy as part of cancer care, the report mentioned. "IAEA data shows that around one-third of countries still do not have radiotherapy available, out of which 28 are in Africa," said May Abdel-Wahab, Director of the IAEA's Division of Human Health.

The guidance docume...