Cancer prevention hot topic at congress
dubai — Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Tolerance, and president of the UAE Genetics Association, inaugurated the 10th edition of UAE Cancer Congress (UAECC) at InterContinental Festival City Hotel in Dubai on Thursday.
The three-day event themed ‘Promoting Excellence in Oncology and Striking away Cancer’ aims to promote the most recent advances in cancer research while also highlighting the various scientific developments in the field.
With over 14 scientific sessions, 100 poster presentations and the presence of over 200 top-notch scientists and expert speakers from over 75 countries, the UAE Cancer Congress is expected to attract over 2,500 visitors and participants. Running parallel to the conference, the exhibition offered over 33 companies a great opportunity to showcase their latest technologies, while also providing a chance to network and collaborate with the leading doctors and specialists in the field.
During his keynote address, Sheikh Nahyan said: “The UAE healthcare vision highlights the importance of information and appropriate initiatives to educate the public on prevention and lifestyle medicines. This congress is an important initiative to highlight the latest in cancer awareness, treatment, research and facilities available in our region.
“Today, medical science is able to offer multiple options of cancer treatment and able to highlight the importance of pre- vention, which brings hope to the patient community.”
Following the opening ceremony, Sheikh Nahyan accompanied by Humaid Al Qatami, chairman of the board and director-general of Dubai Health Authority (DHA); Dr Maryam Matar, founder and chairperson of the UAE Genetic Disease Association; Dr Shaheenah Dawood, president of UAE Cancer Congress, Aiman Al Madani CEO - Finance and Administration - INDEX Holding, and a number of cancer research specialists, from the UAE and abroad, toured the exhibition area. They were briefed about the latest tools and breakthrough scientific technologies used to treat various types of cancer.
Dr Dawood said: “As the world is focusing on reducing the cases of cancer, the UAE Cancer Congress aims to encourage the oncology community to join hands in partnering, learning and building collaborations to allow for progress in research while also build initiatives that effectively combat this disease in our region.”
She added: “According to GLOBOCAN 2018 estimates, 18.1 million new cancer cases are expected and more alarmingly 9.6 million cancer deaths are predicted across the globe. Moreover, the World Health Organisation in 2015 estimated that cancer will be the 3rd leading cause of death before age 70 years in the UAE.”
This year, the congress is featuring the launch of the 1st Asia Pacific Middle East Biosimilar Summit, which is a dedicated gathering, focusing on the practical strategies and opportunities for biosimilar drugs, while also aiming to support the local and international pharma companies. The congress is being organised by INDEX Conferences and Exhibitions – a member of INDEX Holding in partnership with UAE Genetic Disease Association, and cooperation of Dubai Health Authority, Oncology Nursing Society, Emirates Urological Society, Tata Memorial Centre and Indian Cooperative Oncology Network, India.
The United Nations estimates that the world is home to 7.6 billion people and none of them regardless of ethnicity, race or gender are immune to cancer.
Today medical science is able to offer multiple options of cancer treatment and able to highlight the importance of prevention, which brings hope to the patient community.
Sheikh Nahyan, Minister of Tolerance