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Wed, Dec 04, 2024 | Jumada al-Aakhirah 2, 1446 | DXB
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Cancer is the third leading cause of death in this emirate
Picture used for illustrative purposes alone
Doctors from the Capital have estimated that cancer cases have significantly increased in the emirate.
- By
- Jasmine Al Kuttab
Tackling non-communicable diseases is among the top priorities for the UAE Government in providing the best healthcare to Emiratis and residents alike. Cancer is ranked among the top three diseases that is a cause for premature mortality in the country, and this can be prevented. Khaleej Times takes a look.
Dynamic awareness and smarter lifestyle choices can help tackle different types of cancer that are among the top-most deadly diseases that the UAE Government is trying to tackle.
Doctors from the Capital have estimated that cancer cases have significantly increased in the emirate.
During a recently held Emirates Oncology Conference, Dr Mohammed Jaloudi, chair of the conference, said that the number of cancer cases during the year ranged from five to seven per cent of the total cases in Abu Dhabi.
Dr Jaloudi, who is the director of oncology at St Luke's Hospital in the US and has authored global publications on oncology, noted Abu Dhabi registered 3,000 cancer cases annually.
Out of the total cancer cases, most prevalent in women is breast cancer (22%), followed by colon and cervical cancer. Colon cancer, followed by lymph and lung cancers are the highest among men.
Dr Jaloudi, chairman of medical oncology department at Tawam Hospital in Al Ain, said the department receives almost 1,500 new cancer cases each year, bringing the number of patient visits to a whopping 20,000 per year.
He, however, said that fourth stage cancer sufferers do not exceed 20 per cent of the total cases received, although the overdue cancer cases within the recent years has hit 20 per cent. Women with stage-four breast cancer do not exceed 10 per cent of the total breast cancer patients, which is an indication that awareness among the women in the UAE to get examined is on the rise.
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However, cancer is still the third leading cause of death in Abu Dhabi, with an estimated 13 per cent mortalities each year, according to the Health Authority of Abu Dhabi (HAAD).
Dr Norbert Dreier, consultant oncologist at Burjeel Hospital, told Khaleej Times that cancer would soon become the number one killer amongst all diseases, toppling cardiovascular disease. "Ten to 20 years from now, cancer will bypass cardiovascular disease and will be the number one killer in the world."
Dr Dreier, who was instrumental in building the Stem Cell Transplant Programme and developing treatment for oncology and hematology in Germany, noted that cancer cases are certainly increasing in the UAE.
"Europe is also seeing an increase, and a number of publications indicate that breast cancer in particular is expected to rise," he added.
The increase is linked to life circumstances, environmental issues, lifestyle and habits, as well as age. "Of course, genetics also plays an important role, and those who have cancer in their family history are more prone to the disease."
Younger patients
He pointed out that not only are cases increasing, but numbers of younger patients, particularly breast cancer patients, are also on the rise.
"Recently I have seen more young patients. This week alone, I received many new cases, and the youngest was a 27-year-old breast cancer sufferer.
"The patient has a family history. So genetic backgrounds play a crucial role and that is why early detection is more than important."
Breast cancer cases among younger women are higher in the UAE than in Europe. "We do not know where this is coming from."
Dr Dreier stressed that while scientists and doctors are trying to come up with new cancer treatments, particularly treatments that avoid chemotherapy, one must focus on avoiding the risks, which are inhabited in a modern, fast-paced society. "Eating healthy, exercising, avoiding smoking and alcohol, all play a role in preventing the disease."
In 2015, the World Health Organisation (WHO) threw a global panic when it listed red meat as a cancer-causing agent.
Dr Dreier agrees with the risks of eating a meat-based diet, which is often loaded in calories and saturated fats. He believes that focusing on a balanced diet that is full of fruits and vegetables, while cutting down on processed meat, engineered food and preservatives can help protect from cancer. "Cancer is not just caused by one factor; it is a multi-triggered disease."
Early detection
Key component of survival is early detection. Dr Kanankkande Kandy Zainul Aabideen, consultant paediatric oncology, has also noticed increasing rates in cancer cases. "As a doctor, I personally do believe that rates are increasing as I am receiving more cases."
Dr Aabideen highlighted that the most common cases in children are leukemia, which is followed by brain cancer and lymph cancer. "What we must focus on is early detection, which can save the child's life.
"Parents often feel guilt and believe they have caused their child's cancer due to lifestyle habits. They must understand that cancer in children is not caused by environmental factors.
jasmine@khaleejtimes.com
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