World Radiotherapy Awareness Day, September 7: Recognizing the Hidden Hero of Cancer Care

Every year, millions of people worldwide receive radiotherapy as part of their cancer treatment. Yet despite its widespread use, radiotherapy often remains in the shadows of public conversation compared to surgery, chemotherapy, or the latest targeted therapies. This year, for the first time, September 7 is being recognized globally as Radiotherapy Awareness Day, a milestone moment to highlight its role, celebrate progress, and advocate for equitable access to this life-saving treatment.

Oncodaily is proud to mark this inaugural observance by shining a light on radiotherapy’s central place in oncology. In this special feature, we dive deep into its science, its people, and its future, exploring how radiotherapy saves lives, drives innovation, and deserves greater recognition in the fight against cancer. Along the way, we will also connect readers with original Oncodaily articles that explore radiotherapy in depth.

Read on Oncodaily website: “September 7 2025 Marks the First Ever World Radiotherapy Awareness Day”

Why Radiotherapy Matters?

Radiotherapy is one of the cornerstones of cancer treatment. Nearly 50-60% of all cancer patients will benefit from radiotherapy at some point in their journey, whether as a curative treatment, part of a combined therapy, or for symptom relief in advanced disease. Advances in technology now allow radiation to be delivered with remarkable precision, targeting tumors while sparing surrounding healthy tissue. The result is improved survival, reduced side effects, and better quality of life.

The impact extends to vulnerable populations as well. For example, in children, radiotherapy requires careful adaptation to minimize long-term side effects while maximizing cure rates. Our feature on Radiotherapy in Pediatric Cancer outlines both the challenges and breakthroughs in delivering radiation safely to younger patients.

The full article on Oncodaily website: “The Role of Radiotherapy in Pediatric Cancer: Current Practices and Future Directions”

Closing the Access Gap

Despite its proven value, access to radiotherapy remains deeply unequal. According to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), over 70% of patients in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) who need radiotherapy cannot access it. High equipment costs, insufficient infrastructure, and a shortage of trained professionals are key barriers.

Major industry players like Varian and Elekta are working to close this gap. Varian, a Siemens Healthineers subsidiary, provides advanced radiotherapy systems and emphasizes cost-effective solutions, training programs, and partnerships in underserved regions. Their initiatives in Africa, for example, aim to scale up radiotherapy access and improve cancer outcomes.

Elekta, through its ACCESS 2025 strategy and the Elekta Foundation, targets placing hundreds of LINACs in LMICs while supporting education, infrastructure, and innovative models such as pay-per-use treatments in countries like Kenya and Tanzania.

Together, Varian and Elekta demonstrate how technology, education, and strategic partnerships can help reduce global disparities in cancer care, bringing life-saving treatments to patients who would otherwise go without.

Beyond Machines: The Human Side of Radiotherapy

Behind every linear accelerator and treatment plan is a multidisciplinary team: radiation oncologists, physicists, dosimetrists, radiographers, and nurses. Their expertise, collaboration, and compassion turn technology into healing. Radiotherapy Awareness Day also honors these professionals, whose daily work ensures that patients not only receive treatment but also the reassurance and dignity they deserve.

Our article on Understanding the Role of Radiation Therapists highlights how these professionals are integral in guiding patients through complex treatment journeys.

Similarly, Medical Physics in Radiotherapy sheds light on the unseen science ensuring each treatment is both safe and effective. And if you’ve ever wondered who makes key treatment decisions, Who Are Radiation Oncologists? explores their role in shaping cancer care strategies.

Read the full article on Oncodaily here: “Why a Radiation Oncologist Isn’t Simply a Radiologist plus Medical Oncologist: Key Differences Explained”

The Patient Experience

For patients, radiotherapy is more than a clinical procedure, it’s a deeply personal experience. Side effects such as fatigue, skin irritation, or hair loss can affect daily life, yet many patients adapt with remarkable resilience. Even tools like the radiotherapy mask, designed to keep patients safely immobilized during treatment, often become symbols of courage and strength.

Treatment decisions are rarely straightforward. Patients and clinicians frequently weigh radiotherapy against or combine it with chemotherapy to achieve the best outcomes. Our feature Radiotherapy vs Chemotherapy explores how these treatments complement each other, while our comprehensive overview of Radiotherapy Side Effects provides a deeper understanding of what patients may experience.

Read the full article from Oncodaily: “Radiotherapy vs. Chemotherapy: Differences And Similarities”

Read the full article from Oncodaily: “Side Effects of Radiotherapy: Risks and What to Know”

The Future of Radiotherapy

The field is advancing rapidly. From proton therapy and MR-guided radiotherapy to adaptive treatment planning and artificial intelligence, innovations are redefining what is possible. Integration with immunotherapy and personalized medicine is opening new frontiers, transforming radiotherapy from a local treatment to a systemic catalyst for immune response.

These cutting-edge developments highlight the urgency of investment and awareness: without global recognition of radiotherapy’s importance, many patients risk being left behind.

“Is Artificial Intelligence the future of radiotherapy?” full article by Yu-Xian Yang

Why Awareness Matters

Public awareness is not just symbolic, it drives policy change, funding, and research. Greater recognition of radiotherapy’s role can push governments to invest in equipment and training, philanthropic organizations to support global programs, and patients to ask informed questions about their options. By shining a spotlight on radiotherapy, we strengthen the case for its inclusion in universal health coverage.

ESTRO President, Prof Matthias Guckenberger, shares a powerful message on why radiotherapy is essential, versatile, and lifesaving for millions of cancer patients worldwide.

Watch his video and join in raising awareness!

A Call to Action

On this first-ever Radiotherapy Awareness Day, Oncodaily joins the international oncology community in recognizing radiotherapy as an essential, life-saving, and evolving part of cancer care. We call on policymakers, industry leaders, healthcare providers, and advocates to work together to:

• Expand access to radiotherapy in underserved regions.
• Invest in training and retaining skilled professionals.
• Support research and innovation to make radiotherapy safer, smarter, and more effective.

Radiotherapy is more than beams and machines it is hope, precision, and healing. By raising awareness, we move closer to a future where every patient, everywhere, has access to the radiotherapy they need.

Find out more about World Radiotherapy Awareness Day here.

Also, read more articles and publications covering the first ever Radiotherapy Awareness Day in the world on Oncodaily’s website.

Written by Sergey Badalyan, MD