STAFFING SHORTFALL PLAGUES RADIATION ONCOLOGY

Canada's radiation oncologists say a staffing crisis looms within thei r specialty. A growing number of cancer patients means resources are b eing stretched, doctors are Facing additional stress and waiting lists are be coming longer. ''I see no way that we can conceive of meeting our needs by 2000,'' says Dr. Tom Keane of Toronto's Princess Margaret Hospital. The staffing shortage also extends to the medical physicist s who run the ra diotherapy machines. Many are being attracted to the US by higher salaries.