Green Horizons in Oncology: A Blueprint for Environmentally Sustainable Radiation Therapy Facilities

Climate change, heralded as the foremost global health threat of our era, intricately intertwines with all dimensions of existence, compelling a pivotal shift in the healthcare landscape.1, 2, 3 Amidst this evolving terrain, the confluence of oncology with environmental stewardship emerges as a domain of paramount significance.4,5 Radiation oncology, a cornerstone in the treatment of cancer, stands at this critical crossroads, tasked with the dual challenge of providing cutting-edge, high-quality care, and actively engaging in mitigation of our environmental impact. The development and renovation of cancer centers presents a natural opportunity to spearhead the development of infrastructure and policy resilient to climate adversities, especially for those disproportionately impacted.5 In this review we discuss recent advancements in the understanding of the environmental impact of radiation therapy, including a blueprint for cancer centers to begin to achieve higher standards in sustainable radiotherapy care.