The Ministry of Health and Prevention (MoHAP), in collaboration with the global pharmaceutical company MSD, organized a scientific workshop in conjunction with Lung Cancer Awareness Month.
The event aimed to enhance the skills of healthcare professionals in diagnosing and detecting lung cancer at an early stage, as well as improving patients’ quality of life during and after treatment.
The workshop is part of the Ministry's ongoing efforts to develop early detection programs and aligns with the World Health Organization's plan to reduce cancer mortality rates by 30% by 2030.
Boosting healthcare capacity
The workshop explored avenues for enhancing the skills of healthcare personnel, while showcasing the importance of early detection and prevention of lung cancer. Research shows that early detection improves the survival rate by 60% for five years.
Discussions also included innovative awareness programs targeting high-risk populations, updates on initiatives to reduce lung cancer incidence to support national disease prevention initiatives and cement the UAE’s position as a global leader in providing cutting-edge proactive medical care.
Strategic partnerships
H.E. Dr. Hussain Abdul Rahman Al Rand, Assistant Undersecretary for the Public Health Sector, stressed that strategic partnerships with world-class institutions not only support early detection programs for lung cancer and its risk factors but also help keep abreast of the latest scientific advancements. “Through these collaborations, we equip healthcare professionals with accurate and comprehensive information to strengthen prevention efforts and combat lung cancer more effectively.”
His Excellency added that the Ministry will continue to develop innovative and sustainable solutions to address health challenges, driven by the UAE’s vision to deliver world-class healthcare services. “We’re constantly collaborating with local health authorities on national health campaigns to support our wise leadership’s vision of building an integrated health system that improves the quality of life for everyone in society."
Quitting smoking
For her part, Dr. Buthaina Bin Belaila, Head of the Non-Communicable Diseases and Mental Health Department at the Ministry, noted that smoking is the leading cause of lung cancer-related deaths worldwide. To combat this, the Ministry is actively promoting preventive measures, including encouraging smoking cessation, advocating for smoke-free environments, implementing robust tobacco control policies, addressing occupational hazards, and reducing air pollution levels, thereby improving community health and decreasing injuries and fatalities in the UAE.
Supporting the Ministry’s Efforts
Meanwhile, Ashraf Mallak, Managing Director of MSD in the Gulf region, emphasized the importance of collaboration in supporting the Ministry of Health and Prevention’s efforts to enhance early detection of lung cancer and its risk factors. He highlighted the need to stay updated on the most prevalent cancers in the country to adopt the best strategies for early detection, risk assessment, and diagnosis, ultimately improving recovery rates and aligning with national agenda indicators to reduce mortality.
The UAE is recognised as a global leader in providing advanced health services to cancer patients, with cancer prevalence remaining lower in the country compared to international averages, as indicated by World Health Organisation data. Lung cancer ranks as the sixth most common cancer in the UAE, with 231 cases diagnosed among individuals aged 50 and above in 2021.
Globally, lung cancer continues to be the leading cause of cancer-related deaths. According to the International Agency for Research on Cancer, it accounted for approximately 1.8 million deaths, or 18% of all cancer fatalities, in 2020.