The Ministry of Health and Prevention (MoHAP) has organized a scientific workshop in Dubai, targeting health workers in the public and private sectors in the UAE to improve their efficiency in detecting cervical and lung cancer.
Dr Nada Al Marzouqi, Director of the Public Health and Prevention Department, attended the workshop, which was held as part of the Ministry’s ongoing efforts to raise awareness of the importance of regular screening for the early detection of cancer. Also present were representatives of various health authorities and institutions across both sectors.
Promoting private sector’s role
The workshop aimed to enhance the collaborative efforts of the private and public healthcare sectors in the early detection of cancer, emphasizing the crucial role of regular screenings and vaccinations in disease prevention.
Organized as part of the Ministry's strategy to include lung cancer within the National Cancer Early Detection Programme, this effort seeks to strengthen the UAE's position as a leader in disease prevention and control globally, upholding the utmost healthcare standards.
The workshop also comes as part of a series of national health prorgammes and initiatives aimed at decreasing cancer-related mortality by 30% by 2030 through prevention and early detection programmes, especially as many cancer types are curable with early diagnosis and appropriate treatment.
Keeping pace with development
HE Dr. Hussain Abdul Rahman Al Rand stressed the need to stay abreast of global developments in cancer control by enhancing diagnosis, treatment, and prevention strategies based on the latest research findings and scientific studies in these domains.
He called for disseminating reliable and comprehensive information to individuals and healthcare professionals, adding that the workshop shed light on the latest scientific developments in cancer care, featuring insights from prestigious international and local experts.
He also pointed out that the Ministry of Health and Prevention has expanded its early national cancer detection programme—which already includes breast, colon, and cervical cancers—to incorporate lung cancer to improve recovery rates and decrease mortality by ensuring early detection.
Innovative solutions
His Excellency reaffirmed that the Ministry plays a pivotal role in driving research and development related to cancer to the next level while delivering innovative scientific solutions to address current and future health challenges. Additionally, he emphasized that the Ministry is committed to fostering robust partnerships with healthcare and community institutions to enhance public health and disease prevention measures.
He noted that the Ministry's decision in 2023 to extend HPV vaccination to male school students is aimed at bolstering community protection against diseases associated with the virus. HPV is a primary cause of cervical, oral, and pharyngeal cancer, along with genital cancer and other related illnesses.
Dr. Al Rand encouraged women aged 25–65 to undergo Pap examinations every 3–5 years for early detection and prevention of cervical cancer, along with advocating for vaccination as a preventative measure.
It should be highlighted that cancer is the second primary cause of death worldwide, with a toll of 10 million lives in 2021 alone, accounting for nearly one in six deaths globally. Breast cancer tops the list of most prevalent cancers, followed by lung, colorectal, and prostate cancers.