UK, Canada, Nigeria Face Urgent Cancer Care Workforce Shortages

Cancer care specialists worldwide are calling for urgent improvements in oncology workforce capacity and care delivery models to address rising patient needs and treatment complexities. In Nigeria, experts at the MEDSERVE-LUTH Cancer Centre emphasize the critical need for enhanced access, training, and innovation in gynaecological brachytherapy, alongside improved survivorship care addressing psychological and sexual health. Meanwhile, Canadian analyses highlight how advances in molecular biology and immunotherapy have dramatically improved survival rates, notably in melanoma, but have also increased demands for frequent clinical visits and sophisticated care coordination. These developments expose significant workforce shortages and infrastructure gaps, risking patient outcomes unless strategic reforms are implemented, including expanding oncology training, adopting team-based care approaches, and optimizing resource use. Similarly, in the UK, NHS reports reveal escalating radiology and oncology workforce deficits causing treatment and diagnostic delays, threatening patient safety and increasing reliance on costly temporary staffing; experts urge government investment to expand training and prevent worsening shortages. Across these contexts, the consensus is clear: without coordinated action to bolster oncology workforce and integrate innovation with collaboration, the progress in cancer treatment risks being undermined.