50 Million Americans Now Lack Access to Local Cancer Radiation
Summary
New research shows that over 50 million Americans now live in areas without a nearby cancer radiation therapy center. Rural communities are especially affected because many small, independent clinics have closed, making treatment harder to reach for many patients.Key Facts
- Radiation therapy is used in over half of all cancer cases and usually requires daily visits for several weeks.
- Hundreds of counties in the U.S. have lost radiation oncology centers between 2018 and 2025.
- Rural areas have faced more closures than cities, often losing all local access to radiation treatment.
- Independent clinics without hospital support are more likely to close than those affiliated with hospitals.
- Communities losing access tend to have lower incomes, more uninsured people, and fewer primary care doctors.
- The closures are spread across many states rather than being limited to one region.
- Losing a radiation center is a bigger problem in rural areas because patients might have no other treatment options nearby.
- Lack of local treatment adds extra challenges for cancer patients during a difficult time.
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