Honduras is a Central American country, roughly the size of Kentucky with a population similar to New York City (8.2M). Hondouras has an estimated 9,000 new annual cancer cases; women are diagnosed with a slightly greater frequency than men. The three most common malignancies are gynecological (cervix uteri, corpus uteri and ovary), urological (bladder, kidney, prostate and testis), and stomach.
Notably, prostate and cervix uteri respectively account for 16% of overall cancer mortality in men and women. Stomach accounts for 18% in men and 14% in women.
Notably, prostate and cervix uteri respectively account for 16% of overall cancer mortality in men and women. Stomach accounts for 18% in men and 14% in women.
There are a total of 5 cancer centers in Honduras, all with an external beam irradiation machine and only one center with brachytherapy. With a large public health sector and the help of multiple philanthropic groups, the accessibility of modern cancer care is improving.
The last decade has seen a marked increase in availability, with radiotherapy facilities located in the two major population centers. San Pedro Sula and the capital Tegucigalpa (roughly three hours apart by automobile), both possess public and private radiotherapy centers. Public centers all utilize cobalt-60 units, while the two private centers both deliver treatments using Varian 600c linear accelerators. With an interesting healthcare market, a majority of physicians serve in the public sector and simultaneously practice in the private sector.
The last decade has seen a marked increase in availability, with radiotherapy facilities located in the two major population centers. San Pedro Sula and the capital Tegucigalpa (roughly three hours apart by automobile), both possess public and private radiotherapy centers. Public centers all utilize cobalt-60 units, while the two private centers both deliver treatments using Varian 600c linear accelerators. With an interesting healthcare market, a majority of physicians serve in the public sector and simultaneously practice in the private sector.
Global Radiation Oncology Workforce (GROW)
- Project Manager: Peter Sandwall
- Representative of International development: Roberto Jerez, M.D.
- Project Advisor: Information Coming Soon
- Director of Physics: Information Coming Soon
We helped facilitate the donation of a radiation machine to the Centro Oncológico Hondureño. Peter Sandwall spent several weeks in Honduras working with the cancer center.
Donated items
Donated items
- Picker Zephyr Superficial X-Ray Therapy Systems
- 2 Picker Zephyr X-Ray Tubehead
- Complete 3 Universal Superficial X-Ray Therapy Control Tubehead, Filters, and Applicator
- Philips RT 100 System ANALOG Control
- Manual Tubstand
- 8 Beam Hardening Filters
- 8 External Beam Applicators
- Heat Exchanger
- All Cables and Hoses
- Philips RT 100 System DIGITAL Control
- Manual Tubstand
- 8 Beam Hardening Filters
- 8 External Beam Applicators
- Heat Exchanger
- All Cables and Hoses
- Spare Philips RT 100 Control Console
- Spare Parts Unit ANALOG
- Spare Philips RT 100 Control Console
- Spare Parts Unit DIGITAL
- Assortment of Other Philips RT 100 Electrical and Mechanical Spare Parts
- Analog and Digital Systems Complete Sets Spare Philips RT 100 Applicators
- Complete Sets Spare Philips RT 100 Beam Hardening Filters
- Set Spare Parts Kit for Tubestand with Electromechanical Brakes.
- 2 Varian Medical EX Linear Accelerators with accessories, parts, and cables
- Power Conditioner
- Water Chiller
- Air Compressor
- Sun Nuclear Diode Readers
- Pyrexar Medical BSD-500 Hypethermia System
- Philips RT-100 Superficial Units + parts
- 4 Nucletron HDR Remote Afterloader Units
- Miscellaneous parts, catheters, and HDR applicators
The majority of the Honduran population is mestizo or white (a mixture of Amerindian, and European). Amerindian make up the largest minority ethnic group, with 7% of the population, or over 520,000. The Amerindian population consists of seven indigenous groups recognized by the Confederation of Autochthonous Peoples of Honduras (CONPAH) and the government of Honduras, among them they recognize the Afro-Caribbean and Garífuna groups which are not Amerindian.
The indigenous groups are:
The indigenous groups are:
- the Ch’orti’', a Mayan group living in the northwest on the border with Guatemala;
- the Garifuna, a group speaking a Caribbean language, living along the entire Caribbean coastline of Honduras, and in the Bay Islands;
- the Pech or Paya Indians living in a small area in the Olancho department;
- the Tolupan (also called Jicaque, "Xicaque", or Tol), living in the Department of Yoro and in the reserve of the Montaña de la Flor and parts of the department of Yoro;
- the Lenca Indians living in the western highlands of Intibuca, Lempira, La Paz, Valle and Choluteca departments;
- and the Miskito Indians living on the northeast coast in the Gracias A Dios department and along the border with Nicaragua.
Brachytherapy...and then some more brachytherapy!
- Linear Accelerator
- Additional Cobalt Machines
- CT Scanner F
- Cerrobend, Block Cutters, and Mixing Pot for Treatment Blocks
- Film Processor
- Basic Medical Supplies-Robes, Linen, Gloves
- Ion Chambers
- Electrometer PTW
- TLD’s
- Electrometer to Read TLD’s
- TPS
- Mini Water Tank
- Software
- Hood
- Masks Thermoformable, Support Mask
Pictures coming soon.