US Rural Communities Lose Radiotherapy Access for Over 50 Million Residents

A new study published in the International Journal of Radiation Oncology, Biology, Physics finds that more than 50 million Americans now live in counties with no radiotherapy center. The analysis of data from 2018‑2025 shows that closures have been concentrated in rural areas, where independent clinics are especially vulnerable to financial pressures.

Lead author Dr. Kunal K. Sindhu of Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai warned that losing the only local radiotherapy unit can leave patients without any nearby treatment, adding “for people already facing a cancer diagnosis, this creates additional stress at a time when care should be as accessible as possible.” The research links lack of access to lower‑income, higher‑uninsured populations and fewer primary‑care physicians, and notes that new health‑financing reforms taking effect in 2026 could worsen the situation.

Radiotherapy is used in more than half of all cancer cases, often requiring daily visits for several weeks, so the increased travel burden in underserved regions may lead to poorer outcomes and higher mortality.