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The State of Radiation Oncology in Iran
1- Current and Future Challenges of Radiation Oncology in Iran: A Report from the Iranian Society of Clinical Oncology
2- Education and training of medical physics in Iran: The past, the present and the future
3- A Time for Optimism? The State of Radiation Oncology in Iran
The practice of radiation oncology and the treatment of cancer around the world is currently an important topic in medicine. In this edition of “Around the Globe,” we usher you to a destination less renowned for its advances in radiation oncology.Iran, once known as Persia, conjures myriad images for world travelers, food enthusiasts, politicians, historians, and scientists:its picturesque nature; exotic ancient architecture and labyrinthine bazaars; an overwhelmingly young population;and an ancient civilization with notable kings, politicians, poets, mathematicians, and scientists. With a Caspian Seacoastline in the north and a Persian Gulf coastline in the south,Iran is the second largest nation in the Middle East, the 18th largest in the world, and the seventh largest producer of crude oil. Of an estimated 2013 gross domestic product (GDP) of$1.296 billion USD, health expenditures were, however, 6.7% of GDP,which ranks the country at only 87th in the world. Cancer and its treatment have a long presence in Iran’s history, dating back to medieval times and early modern Persia. Today cancer is the third leading cause of death in a country that has been witness to a recent increase in its incidence. This increase can be attributed to multiple factors,including higher life expectancy, elevated stress levels, rising cost of health care, and more reliable detection methods,