about abs

About the American Brachytherapy Society

About the ABS

ABS is a society of interventional Radiation Oncologists and allied professionals. We deliver precise, high dose radiation to cure cancer. Founded in 1978, the American Brachytherapy Society (ABS) is a world leader in brachytherapy. The society provides education, clinical practice standards, and treatment guidelines for the use of brachytherapy in the management of various malignant diseases. It inspires excellence in brachytherapy practice through leadership in education, training, and research, with the goal of achieving optimal clinical outcomes and improving the quality of life for cancer patients.

The Power of Brachytherapy

Brachytherapy is used primarily to treat prostate, breast, and cervical cancers, as well as lung, esophagus, skin, sarcoma, rectum, penis, and ocular melanoma. Because it is much less invasive than surgery, it offers an effective alternative for organ preservation.

Brachytherapy is an integral part of successful treatment for cervical cancer, improving survival in patients with advanced disease over external beam radiation alone. For prostate cancer, it improves disease outcomes and remains a most cost-effective treatment option.

A Multidisciplinary Society

Our organization consists of physicians, physicists, nurses, radiation therapists, trainees in various disciplines and others interested in the clinical application and advancement of brachytherapy.

2024 American Cancer Society Estimates

Prostate Cancer 288,300

New Cases Estimated in 2024

34,700 Deaths
Incidence has increased 3% annually overall since 2014.
Breast Cancer 287,850

New Cases Estimated in 2024

43,250 Deaths
Brachytherapy remains a key option for organ-preserving treatment.
Cervical Cancer 12,710

New Cases Estimated in 2024

4,290 Deaths
Critical for improving survival in advanced-stage disease.

Our Purpose

The purpose of the ABS is to serve its members by advancing the field of Brachytherapy, by promoting excellence in education, research and clinical practice, and by representing Brachytherapy specialists and their patients.

Professional Resources

For the professional community, the ABS offers a peer-reviewed journal, Brachytherapy, medical education opportunities, a "members only" newsletter, and a forum for discussion at our annual conference.

Consumer Resources

For the consumer, the ABS maintains a consumer-friendly website designed to offer easy-to-understand explanations of the practice, history, and applications of brachytherapy.