ABSTRACT
Introduction 841 Choice of imaging technique 841 Local expertise 842 Operational arrangements 842 Diagnostic advantage 842 Therapeutic options 842 Imaging services in developing countries 843
Strengthen low cost services 843 Make greater use of radiologically guided biopsies 843 Adopt appropriate training strategies 843 Make systematic use of teleradiology 844 Key points 844 References 844
The World Health Organization (WHO) has identified aging, infections, cancer and mental health as the four major health issues that confront the global population this century. In 2002 there were an estimated 11 million new cancers diagnosed in the world and the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) predicts an increase to 16 million by 2020, with some 60 percent occurring in the less developed parts of the world. They project that regions with traditionally low numbers of cancer deaths could see significant increases in mortality. North Africa, Western Asia, South America, the Caribbean, and South
East Asia, could face increases of 75 percent in the number of cancer deaths compared with 2000. However, most developing countries are not well equipped to deal with such an increase in the incidence of cancer.
