BRUSSELS – 3 December 2019
Despite its impressive impact on clinical outcomes, there remains a large gap between how radiotherapy is currently being used and its most effective deployment. This means many patients are failing to benefit fully from optimal treatment. In addition, these gaps are being exacerbated by shortages of high-quality equipment. This is key finding of the 1st edition of the COCIR Radiotherapy Age Profile and Density, published today.
The report arises from a 2018 COCIR initiative proposing specific recommendations - the 'Golden Rules' - designed to help evaluate of the radiotherapy installed base and assist with procurement planning. These recommendations balance the benefits of innovation against the obligation to derive maximum value from capital investment. This report compares the density and age profile of equipment in the selected countries against the 'Golden Rules'.
COCIR Secretary General, Nicole Denjoy says, “This lack of access to the optimum radiotherapy technology is having a clear impact, both on patient outcomes and on a health economic perspective. Procurement of radiotherapy equipment is a long-term investment; it should be part of an overall national cancer plan, encompassing improved diagnosis, screening and other services. In addition, the equipment forms only part of a holistic solution, one that also needs to encompass effective modern infrastructure and human capacity development with appropriate skills and education, as well as sustainability.”
COCIR is convinced that there needs to be greater efforts to advance cancer research, diagnosis and targeted therapy. This is why it continues to strive to shape the policy changes necessary to accelerate increased survival rates and improve outcomes for cancer patients.
You can read the Radiotherapy Age Profile and Density report here.
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About COCIR
COCIR is the European Trade Association representing the medical imaging, radiotherapy, health ICT and electromedical industries. Founded in 1959, COCIR is a non-profit association headquartered in Brussels (Belgium) with a China Desk based in Beijing since 2007. COCIR is unique as it brings together the healthcare, IT and telecommunications industries.
www.cocir.org
For more information, contact:
Nicole Denjoy
COCIR Secretary General
Tel: +32 (0)2 706 8961
denjoy@cocir.org
Colin Mackay
COCIR Communications Senior Advisor
Tel: +32 (0) 473 43 07 52
press@cocir.org