Transforming Cancer Care in Western Guatemala: Dr. Chan’s Los Altos Radiotherapy Center Introduces Region’s First Linear Accelerator

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In a historic milestone for health in the western region of Guatemala, Dr. Mariza Chan inaugurated the first radiotherapy center equipped with a linear accelerator. This technological advance represents a new era in cancer treatment for thousands of Guatemalans.

In this exclusive interview, Dr. Chan shares the details of this pioneering project and her vision for improving patients’ quality of life. We discuss the importance of the linear accelerator, the benefits for patients compared to traditional treatments, the challenges faced, and the expectations of this new service.

Join us as we explore how Los Altos Radiotherapy Center is transforming healthcare in the region, bringing cutting-edge treatments to communities most in need and providing hope to those facing this disease. This is a proud example of how ROS (Radiology Oncology Systems) is helping clinicians expand and improve patient care in populations across the world to help save lives, working with forward-thinking doctors such as Dr. Chan.

How important is the introduction of the linear accelerator for healthcare in this region?

It is essential because everything was centralized in Guatemala City and it is the first radiotherapy center in Quetzaltenango. Obviously, without the linear accelerator, we cannot provide the treatment, so it is something fundamental, and we are very happy to be pioneers in the area of ​​radiation.

How will this technology benefit patients compared to traditional radiotherapy treatments?

There are good treatments in Guatemala, but the disadvantage is that they are all centralized. Now we have decentralized the services, and the refurbished linear accelerator provides excellent treatments, such as 3D radiotherapy, IMRT, VMART, and RT, so we have nothing to envy.

What were the biggest challenges in bringing this technology to the region?

We wanted people to trust us. It is a complex and large-scale project, but we have had companies that have supported us greatly in all of this and that allows us to bring the treatments to the entire population.

What type of training or preparation have health professionals had to handle the linear accelerator?

Each one in their area of expertise, from the doctor, the technician, and the medical physicist, has specialized in planning treatments and knowing how radiation works. As doctors, we have postgraduate degrees in Oncologic Radiotherapy, and the technicians and I have Master’s degrees in Advanced Techniques. Also, thanks to the company (ROS) who supported us when they came to install the machines, as they provided us with various training sessions to get to know the equipment and be able to get the most out of everything.

What are your expectations regarding the impact that this new service will have on the health of the community?

The truth is that expectations are enormous, and not because it is a project of ours, but because this is a transformational project. Now, not all patients will need to go to the capital leaving their family and home. This project brings the treatments closer to their homes, allows them to stay in their familiar surroundings and feel at ease, and also reduces the costs of lodging, transportation, and food. At the same time, it has generated employment and has given more added value to the region.

How many people in your region now have access to this technology for the first time?

We don’t have official statistics. However, the statistics taken internally from our experience in the different places where we work, we know that we are going to be able to treat 38% of the population of Guatemala. This is a fairly high percentage, and what I like is that it helps this population that finds it difficult to leave their home since they are very home-based people. They often decide not to be treated in order to avoid traveling to the capital since sometimes they have difficulty with the language because they do not speak Spanish.  They speak Kiche or Mam, and the fact of being closer to their home and that there is staff within the clinic that speaks their languages, makes us really get closer to the population.

Conclusion

Dr. Mariza Chan’s pioneering work in bringing the first linear accelerator to western Guatemala aligns perfectly with ROS’s mission to expand healthcare access to populations in need. This initiative extends cutting-edge cancer treatments to previously underserved communities, addressing challenges like language barriers, travel costs, and the emotional burden of leaving one’s community for care. This project has brought hope and healing to thousands of Guatemalans, demonstrating the profound impact that technology and collaboration can have on improving healthcare outcomes worldwide. As ROS continues to bridge gaps in healthcare availability, we remain committed to empowering communities and providing life-saving care to those in need.