Represented H.H. Sheikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai, UAE Minister of Finance, President of Dubai Health Authority (DHA), and the Patron of the 7th UAE Cancer Congress, H.E. Humaid AL Quitami, Chairman of the Board of the DHA, opened the congress at Intercontinental Hotel, Dubai Festival City, with the participation of around 1200 specialists from 45 countries.

 

The 7th UAE Cancer Congress was supported by Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid al Maktoum Award for Medical Sciences, with the participation of 200 faculty and speakers in 8 scientific sessions and 5 workshops provided 33.5 CME hours accredited by the Dubai Health Authority.

 

Mr. Abdullah bin Souqat, the Executive Director of Hamdan Medical Award said: “Supporting this conference goes in line with the Award’s objectives to motivate force towards promoting medical services by recognizing the importance of the scientific research and outstanding achievements in the field of medicine”.

 

“The conference embodies the idea of the importance of the concerted efforts of the academic institutions and the private and public healthcare sectors within the UAE in order to confront to cancer diseases, which is a chronic non-communicable disease with high rates of morbidity and mortality”, he added.

 

During the opening ceremony of the conference, HE Humaid Al Quitami delivered a speech in which he thanked H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum for his patronage of the Conference. Also, he thanked the Board of Trustees of Sheikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Award for Medical Sciences for its efforts in achieving the award’s noble objectives towards improving the provided Medical services locally, regionally and internationally.

He welcomed the attendees in this event which discusses Cancers, as one of the most important challenges facing human development in the world and a leading cause of deaths. “According to the World Health Organization, approximately 14 million new cases and 8 million cancer related deaths were recorded every year globally”, he said. 

"The United Arab Emirates is aware of the risks arising from cancers in the whole countries worldwide. UAE works on protecting the community from the non- communicable diseases, and even epidemics. Representing by the Dubai Health Authority, Dubai works on improving the prevention ways and contributing effectively in the world's efforts to limit the spread of cancers and its effects. 

Also, he stressed on the importance of establishing specialized medical and research centres for Cancers, which is a part of the future strategy of the DHA and one of its aspirations. The DHA is ahead to provide an excellent integrated healthcare system”, H.E. Humaid Al Quitami added.

Also, Dr. Shaheenah Dawood, Consultant Medical Oncologist, Medical Oncology department of Dubai Hospital, and the Congress President, delivered a speech in which she said: “Cancer is the price we pay for human development. The World Economic Forum has rightly stated that cancer will be the most challenging disease that we will have to face for the next fifty years. With the alarming increase in the incidence of cancer that has been observed in the Middle East and Asia Pacific region, our group recognized that something needs to be done. Our mission is clear. We want to “promote excellence in oncology”. Our goals are simple. We want the oncology community to join hands in partnering, learning, building collaborations to allow for progress in research and build initiatives to effectively combat this disease in our region. It is time for change and our group recognizes that now is the time for that change. A change that will ultimately positively benefit patients suffering from this disease”.

“The congress now in its seventh year has simply grown from strength to strength. With a strong multidisciplinary academic program that caters for all specialties involved in the management of patients with cancer it has become the conference to attend,  attracting delegates from the whole Middle East and Asia Pacific region. The congress has determinedly pursued its goals. As such, I am very proud to announce a number of very important collaborations that we have achieved. We continue to successfully partner with the TATA memorial Center in India and the Shaukat Khanum Cancer Center in Pakistan, both well-known cancer centers that are leaders in the field. Our very important partnership with the Indian Cooperative Oncology Network continues to flourish under the guidance of Dr. Purvish Parikh”, she added. 

“We continue our very important partnership with the Oncology Nursing Society to provide a comprehensive program specifically designed to cater to the needs of our oncology nurses. Professor Pankaj Chaturvedi has tirelessly created Head and Neck Master Course that continues to attract collaborations from a number of international associations. Dr. Bhawna Sirohi a fantastic and interactive GI program, and Dr. Kumar Prabash is heading a packed but exciting lung program that gathers experience from all parts of the Asia Pacific region. This year under the guidance of Prof Raj Kerkar, we continue our Gyne Oncology initiative that was initiated last year that will be a further networking opportunity”, she said. 

“This year we also have the priveldge of introducing a number of new initiatives. Under guidance of Dr. Shailesh Shrikande we have introduced live state of the art surgery workshop straight from TATA hospital in India. Dr. Mahmood Marashi and Dr. Fariboze have respectively introduced our hemato oncology and uro oncology programs. Dr. Mona has spear headed the palliative care session that is sure to attract health care professionals from all specialties”, she said.

“With a fantastic program and prominent faculty, this year's congress will be enjoyable for one and all”, she said.

The highlight of the first day of the 7th UAE Cancer Congress was the live operative workshop telecasted from India of surgical cases performed by expert surgeons from Tata Memorial hospital. The telecast covered various surgical demonstrations in real time, tackling cases on Breast & Thyroid Cancer Surgery, Radical D2 Gastrectomy, and Robotic Radical Prostatectomy. 

Also, a special session was conducted for breast cancer by experts from UAE, US and Pakistan. Being one of the most common cancers in women, both in developed and underdeveloped regions of the world, the latest aspects of this type of cancer and its overall management was the focal point of this session. With breast cancer being the leading malignancy among women in the UAE this will help standardize multidisciplinary care of this malignancy among the health care professionals involved in the treatment of breast cancer. 

During the 1st day of the conference, expert nutritionists focused on guidelines for cancer survivors and also presented a case study in cancer care during a focused session on nutrition. Topics like weight management, sugar and cancer, spice intake, dietary supplements and other guidelines were key point of discussion from experts for patient care during and after cancer treatment.

Special workshop was also conducted for nurses by Oncology nursing society. The program was geared specifically to educate nurses on the care of patients with cancer and teaches them vital communication skills. 

The 2nd day of the congress included a special session dedicated to palliative care. It focused on providing patients with relief from the symptoms, pain and stress of a serious illness, in order to improve the quality of life for patients and their family. Topics discussed at the inaugural Palliative Care Assembly included pain management, the role of radiotherapy and chemotherapy.

Another scientific session focused on Lung cancer whose incidence is on the rise, and over the last decade several important advances in management has occurred which has significantly improved the prognostic outcome of this disease. The lung cancer session brought all important advances to the fore front and helped in educating professionals on the latest innovations and how to incorporate them into clinical practice.

Also, a Head and Neck Master Course, conducted by experts to educate surgeons, medical oncologists, and radiation oncologists on the latest developments in their field of interest, was held. Moreover the breast program that started on opening day continued its sessions and covered the care of all aspects of breast cancer from identification, to work up to surgery to chemotherapy and radiation therapy. 

Concluding the conference, the experts suggested the importance to continue to encourage partnership and network collaboration with international groups and the research in this region targeted to cancer.

Also, the experts and healthcare professionals stressed on the importance of such scientific events in raising the awareness of specialists towards the best practices and encouraging the multidisciplinary care for the disease.