PACT: The IAEA's plan to stem the 'cancer crisis' in developing countries

摘要

The IAEA's Program of Action for Cancer Therapy is working to provide radiotherapy treatment facilities and expertise to the developing world. In 2003, with the growth in the incidence of cancer in the developing world moving toward crisis, the World Health Organization (WHO) and the International Union Against Cancer (UICC) issued a call for action "through concerted efforts by all sectors to prevent and treat cancer throughout the world." In response, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Secretariat developed the Program of Action for Cancer Therapy—PACT—an ambitious project that builds on the agency's long experience in providing radiotherapy to developing countries, PA CT was approved this year by the IAEA's governing board and endorsed by the General Conference. Pedro Andrea, director of the IAEA's Division of Human Health, provided information about how PACT developed, as well as its plans and goals.