TECHNOLOGICAL INNOVATION AND HUMANIZATION IN ONCOLOGICAL TREATMENT: CONTRIBUTIONS OF RADIOTHERAPY IN BRAZIL

Abstract

Cancer is one of the main public health problems in the world, being the second leading cause of death from chronic non-communicable diseases (INCA, 2023), and radiotherapy plays a central role in cancer treatment, with both curative and palliative applications. Despite recent technological advances, such as intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) and image-guided radiotherapy (IGRT), which increase treatment precision and reduce adverse effects, Brazil faces challenges regarding access to and humanization of care, leading to the following problem: how to integrate technological advances in radiotherapy with humanized practices that promote more comprehensive and accessible cancer care in the country? The overall objective of this study is to analyze the contributions of technological innovation and humanization in radiotherapy, while the specific objectives include describing technological advances, examining humanization strategies, and verifying challenges related to access to treatment. The methodology adopted was qualitative, exploratory, and descriptive, based on a narrative literature review in databases such as SciELO, PubMed, and LILACS, encompassing publications from 2010 to 2025 and official documents from INCA (Brazilian National Cancer Institute) and international organizations. The results indicate that technology combined with humanization, including psychological support, active listening, and a multidisciplinary approach, contributes to better adherence and quality of life, although inequalities in access persist, as does the need for policies that integrate innovation and humanized care in the Brazilian context.