SOLAR and WRAD Unite to Strengthen the Voice of Radiotherapy across Latin America
- 1 day ago
- 3 min read
World Radiotherapy Awareness Day (WRAD) and SOLAR have begun an exciting collaboration to raise awareness of radiotherapy, strengthen regional cooperation and advocate for fair access to this essential cancer treatment across Latin America.
SOLAR - Sociedades Latinoamericanas de Radioterapia (Latin America Radiotherapy Society) is a federation bringing together national radiotherapy societies from across Latin America. It also welcomes groups of specialists from countries that do not yet have an organised national society.
The network directly represents approximately 1,700 radiation oncologists through its member societies and indirectly connects with more than 4,000 radiotherapy professionals across the region.
A shared regional voice
SOLAR was established to promote collaboration between Latin American countries while respecting the independence of each national organisation. Its purpose is to share knowledge, develop joint projects and strengthen radiotherapy throughout the region.
The organisation began to take shape following the first meeting of presidents of Latin American radiotherapy societies in Rio de Janeiro in 2023. The meeting highlighted the need for stronger regional representation and a permanent model through which countries could work together.
This collaboration continued with a further meeting of the presidents in Mexico in 2025, helping to strengthen regional cooperation and define common goals for radiotherapy across Latin America.
In 2026, during its meeting in Chile, SOLAR signed a collaboration agreement with the American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) to continue promoting education, scientific collaboration and the development of radiotherapy across Latin America.
Today, SOLAR supports continuous professional education, the exchange of knowledge and good practice and the development of regional projects spanning science, technology, education, financing and public policy.
Addressing inequalities in radiotherapy access
Many Latin American countries face similar challenges relating to access, infrastructure, technology, professional education and the sustainable development of radiotherapy services.
While some countries and major cities have centres equipped with advanced technology, patients in other areas may need to travel long distances or wait too long to begin treatment. Differences also exist in equipment availability and maintenance, access to newer technologies, specialist staffing, professional training and funding.
In some countries, administrative barriers and delays in treatment authorisation can create further obstacles for patients. SOLAR is therefore advocating for radiotherapy to be more clearly incorporated into national cancer control plans and public health policies.
Improving access involves more than installing additional machines. Safe, high-quality and sustainable services also require appropriately trained multidisciplinary teams, reliable infrastructure and long-term investment in the places where patients need them most.
Improving education and understanding
SOLAR promotes continuous education and knowledge exchange through webinars, courses, guidelines and collaborative projects. It also creates opportunities for countries to share their experiences and learn from examples of good practice.
Working alongside national societies, SOLAR develops shared messages and communication activities for patients, communities, healthcare professionals and decision-makers.
A key priority is to explain radiotherapy clearly: what it is, how it works, when it may be used and why it is such an important part of cancer care.
Radiotherapy is a safe, precise and evidence-based treatment. It can cure cancer, reduce the risk of cancer returning, relieve symptoms and improve quality of life. Modern radiotherapy is carefully planned to target a tumour while protecting surrounding healthy organs and tissues as much as possible.
By addressing fears and misconceptions, SOLAR and WRAD hope to help more people understand the value of radiotherapy and the importance of receiving treatment without unnecessary delay.
Joining the global conversation
SOLAR chose to collaborate with WRAD because the two organisations share a common purpose: increasing awareness of radiotherapy and promoting equitable access to treatment.
Through WRAD’s international platform, patients, healthcare professionals, scientific societies and institutions come together as one global community. The partnership gives Latin America an opportunity to share its progress, contribute its expertise and draw greater attention to the access gaps that remain.
It also demonstrates that Latin America is not defined solely by its challenges. The region has extensive knowledge, strong leadership, valuable experience and a significant capacity for collaboration.
Lina Loaiza Salazar, Board Member, SOLAR said:
“This collaboration allows Latin America to speak with one voice and show that radiotherapy saves lives. Timely and high-quality access should be a reality for everyone, regardless of their country or where they live.”
Radiotherapy should not be a privilege determined by geography. Through this new collaboration, SOLAR and WRAD will work together to strengthen understanding of radiotherapy and support the radiotherapy community to help highlight the need to improve access to radiotherapy globally.
Learn more about SOLAR and its work across Latin America.
Join World Radiotherapy Awareness Day on 7 September and help us speak with One Voice for Radiotherapy.
