RANZCR Releases the Australian Radiation Oncology Facility Survey Report: Insights and Trends from 2010-2020

The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Radiologists (RANZCR) has released the Radiation Oncology Facilities Survey describing the insights over a 10-year period from 2010-2020.

Key trends in the report included:

• There are more machines called linear accelerators or ‘linacs’ for treating cancer - at least 7 linacs for every million people. This has led to greater patient access to these treatments. However, there are also more aging machines (>7 years old) being used. There needs to be a plan to replace older machines, which may not deliver modern treatment efficiently.

• In 2020 radiation treatment facilities were smaller than in 2010. On average each facility had 2.3 machines in 2020, compared to 2.8 in 2010. Also, more of these facilities were privately owned in 2020, 60%, whereas in 2010 it was only 40%. More people were treated outside big cities in 2020, 21%, whereas in 2010 it was 16%. This means there is better patient access to high quality care closer to home.

• As Australia’s ageing population increases, more people need radiation therapy to treat cancer. They go through a cycle of treatments called a ‘course’. The number of courses has increased by 55%, but the number of radiation oncologists (doctors who treat cancer using radiation therapy) has not increased proportionately. Between 2019 and 2021, for the first time, there was a drop in the radiation oncology workforce.

• The usual number of radiation therapy courses provided to patients has decreased. This change follows the use of new and evolving evidence-based practices such as hypofractionation and stereotactic radiation therapy which provide greater convenience for patients while not compromising effective treatment.

• Treatments for radiation therapy have become more complicated. Complex treatments such as Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy and stereotactic, which have fewer side effects, have become 30% more common every year. In 2010, 30% of cancer patients were given these treatments, but by 2020 it went up to 72%.

• Brachytherapy is another form of radiation therapy delivering radiation directly to a tumour. It is critically essential treatment for some cancers and an alternative to surgery for some others. Fewer radiation therapy facilities offer this specialised treatment and the number of courses has dropped. It is important to understand why this is and to ensure those patients who require this essential treatment continue to have access.

Read the full media release here

Read the Faculty of Radiation Oncology Facilities Survey Report: Insights and Trends from 2010-2020 for Australia here