SOLAR Brings 12 Countries Together to Discuss Radiotherapy Across Latin America
Radiotherapy professionals from across Latin America came together for a regional conversation marking World Radiotherapy Awareness Day 2026.
Organised by SOLAR, the Sociedades Latino Americanas de Radioterapia, the online discussion brought together representatives from 12 countries on 7 September. Each participating country shared an overview of its radiotherapy services, the principal challenges affecting access and its priorities for the future.Radiotherapy professionals from across Latin America came together for a regional conversation marking World Radiotherapy Awareness Day 2026.
The event formed part of a wider programme of WRAD activity coordinated through the SOLAR network. Radiotherapy teams across the region created awareness materials, shared messages through social media and highlighted the professionals working to deliver treatment.
During the closing conversation, speakers identified several challenges shared across the region, alongside issues specific to individual countries. These included shortages of equipment and trained professionals, geographical inequalities, long journeys for patients, waiting lists and the need for sustainable funding.
In Costa Rica, for example, rural patients may need to travel for four hours or more to receive treatment because services are centralised. The presentation highlighted the need for additional linear accelerator and brachytherapy capacity, as well as accommodation and organised transport for people travelling from rural communities.
Colombia also identified geographical inequality as a significant barrier, with radiotherapy services and skilled professionals concentrated in major cities. Although increased capacity and the availability of high-precision techniques represent important progress, further investment outside the main urban centres is needed.
Presentations from Mexico and Ecuador offered a snapshot of the resources available to meet demand. Mexico reported 107 radiotherapy centres and 153 linear accelerators, while Ecuador reported 10 centres and 30 linear accelerators for a population of approximately 18 million.
Workforce development was another recurring priority. Argentina highlighted the importance of strengthening professional education, developing guidance suited to local populations and improving the collection of cancer data. At a regional level, the presentation called for shared recommendations and minimum standards for radiotherapy quality and professional training.
Brazil focused on the financial sustainability of radiotherapy services. Its presentation called for funding and reimbursement models that reflect the real cost of treatment and enable continued investment. It also highlighted SOLAR’s potential role as a regional platform for identifying gaps, developing collaborative projects and turning technical discussion into practical action.
Although the circumstances within each country differ, the conversation demonstrated the value of sharing evidence, experience and priorities across borders. By bringing 12 national perspectives into one discussion, the event created a clearer picture of radiotherapy across Latin America and the action required to improve access.
The message running through the event was clear: lasting progress will depend upon greater collaboration and coordinated regional planning.
