Why has Radiotherapy Utilisation not improved since 1999?

The author reflects on data from the New South Wales (NSW) Health Radiotherapy Management Information Systems reports to show that the usage of radiotherapy has not been improved from 1999 to 2008 in Australia and New Zealand. This report shows that even though there have been improvements in staffing, the increase in the number of linear accelerators (linacs) has only kept pace with the increases in cancer incidence. The author notes that there is a need for faculty and radiation oncologists to be proactive and to disseminate the benefits of their specialty to the public.