Lack of awareness on risk factors of cancer decried

Cancer is a global concern with an increasing incidence worldwide. However, many are still ignorant of the risk factors and the signs and symptoms, presenting their condition at late stages when the chances of survival are very low.

At the first International Oncology Conference in the Capital on Thursday, Shaikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Culture, Youth and Community Development, stressed the importance of participating in the global community’s fight against cancer.

“We, in the UAE, share with the world-wide health care community the challenges of the fight against cancer. We observe the increased incidence of, and death rates from, cancer. We lament the lack of awareness among the public about the magnitude of the problem.”

Noting the tendency of people to “ignore symptoms until cancer has progressed to a late stage,” Shaikh Nahyan said an effective strategy is required to prevent the onset of the disease.

“We must identify and understand the wide range of risk factors, from environmental toxins to lifestyle decisions involving nutrition, smoking, exercise and other factors. We must form partnerships among hospitals, health workers, colleges of medicine, and community organisations to develop effective public education campaigns. It is a critical challenge for you who work in the field, then, to determine strategies to motivate people to learn about cancer and to pursue appropriate preventive behaviours,” he told delegates at the conference.

On cancer research he said: “We must address the apparent delay in translating clinical discoveries into available cures, especially in view of the public expectations regarding medical delivery and practice. Public expectations for advanced diagnostic and treatment services have ballooned, as have expectations for medical education and training,” he pointed out.

He added that the absence of original scientific research relevant to “our region hampers our effort to craft relevant initiatives. And it is critical that we dramatically increase co-operation and action among all concerned to improve cancer education and treatment, and to provide greater research and training opportunities.”

Over 500 healthcare professionals and cancer specialists convened here for the two-day conference titled ‘Improving cancer care with early detection and prevention’. Organised by Burjeel Medical City, the forum covered the UAE’s most frequent types of cancers — breast, lung, cervical and colorectal.

During the morning session, Dr Jalaa Taher, manager of non-communicable diseases at the Health Authority-Abu Dhabi (HAAD), presented the epidemiology of breast cancer — the top cancer in men and women worldwide, the second cancer killer and the leading cause of death among women.

“Breast cancer overall is increasing worldwide with faster rates in developing countries,” Dr Taher said noting that 1.38 million new breast cancer cases were diagnosed in 2008, and this accounts for 23 per cent of all cancer in women. She noted that change in lifestyle, fewer pregnancy and taking of hormone replacement therapy are some of the risk factors.

olivia@khaleejtimes.com