(MENAFNEditorial)
Three key focus areas identified at the region’sfirst Lung Cancer Summit, which was held on 27th & 28th May, 2016 The Conrad Hotel, Dubai,led by regional and internationallung cancer experts
Dubai, UAE, May 28, 2016: Patient education and support, public awareness, and a standardised education for healthcare providers were the three key priority areas set by the 85 lung cancer specialists who led and attended the inaugural Gulf Lung Cancer Summit in Dubai on 27th and 28th May. Hosted by AstraZeneca Gulf, the two-day summit addressed the specific unmet needs and clinical gaps in the care of patients with lung cancer, the most common cause of death from cancer worldwide.
The three focus areas were identified through theSummit’s 20interactive sessions,simulation workshops, panels and case-based discussions,which were led by 16 regional and international experts in lung cancer. The sessions addressed key topics, including the global and local burden of lung cancer, advancing diagnosis and screening, evolving treatment strategies such as personalised treatment options andsurvivorship issues for patients with lung cancer.
Keynote summit speakers included Dr. Mohammed Jaloudi (UAE),Dr. Hassan Jaafar, (UAE),Dr. Rawia Mubarak (UAE), Dr. Shiyam Kumar (Oman), and Dr. Kakil Rasul (Qatar). Each ignited robust discussions throughout the event and highlighted the importance of advancement in lung cancer treatments such as personalised therapies, whichuses specific information about a person, including their genes, to prevent, diagnose and treat disease in the most effective way for that individual. Personalised treatment has proven to play a significant role in improving patient outcomes and its greater effectiveness compared to chemotherapy2.
Dr. Maroun El Khoury, Consultant Oncologist at American Hospital Dubai, said despite the hope advances in treatment represent, challenges in transferring the knowledge and skills need to be addressed, and a unified network of healthcare professionals is required, in order to achieve better patient outcomes and an improved quality of life for lung cancer patients.“The summit revealed that a continued dialogue with healthcare professionals isneeded to ensure up-to-date knowledge and information on new diagnostic and treatment strategies for lung cancer is transferred,” he said.“There is aneed to enhance education and develop practice standards specifically when it comes to molecular testing and innovative aspects of lung cancer care to ensure all healthcare providers are equipped to offer the best advice for their patients.“Patient understanding of lung cancer and available treatment options is also lacking, we need to ensure all healthcare professionals know how to navigate existing resources and direct patients on where to receive required support,” Dr El Khoury added.
Summit participants also noted the need for increasing the general public’s awareness of lung cancer and changing misconceptions that it is a ‘smokers’ disease’,highlighting a gap in educational and support initiatives targeted at the public on lung cancer and its impact on the community.
Addressing survivorship issues and the need to focus on patient education and support, Dr Sawsan Al Madhi, Director General of Friends of Cancer Patients, said every cancer survivor has individual concerns and challenges.“Survivorship can be one of the most complex aspects of a patient’s cancer journey because each person can respond differently,” Dr Al Madhi said. “Some are joyful and say they appreciate life more,others become anxious and uncertain of how to cope day-to-day.”“Support groups are very important for both current patients and cancer survivors, as they allow them to talk to people who have hadsimilar first-hand experiences. Even caregivers such as family members and friends may go through periods of transition and need assistance adjusting to life during and post their caregiving role.“Friends of Cancer Patients offers this support through a variety of initiatives across the UAE and works to ensure that all patients and carersknow exactly what resources and help is available to them throughout their cancer journeytohelp relieve the stress of isolation they mayface,” Dr Al Madhi added.
Attendees agreed that awareness of lung cancer and its causes, risks and treatment options could be increased among the general public and the healthcare community by engaging patients, survivors and their families to act as one voice for lung cancer and speak publically about their experiences.
Concluding on the success of the Lung Cancer Summit, Dr Rawia Mubarak Mohamed Consultant Anatomical pathologist at Sheikh Khalifa Medical Center, Abu Dhabiand a keynote speaker for the event said:
“It’s important that as a medical community we work together to advance the knowledge, competence, and performance of all healthcare specialist working across the Gulf in order to deliver accurate, timely and high-quality care to lung cancer patientsin the region,” she said.
“Events such as the Lung Cancer Summit assist in addressing these barriers so lung cancer patients in the region can receive the best possible care,” Dr Mubarak Mohamed added.
During the Lung Cancer Summit, AstraZeneca Gulf launched its lung cancer education and support initiative, ‘Believe in Your Identity’, which highlights the importance of personalised treatment and its role in significantly improving patient outcomes, including quality of life and activities of daily living, as well as its greater effectiveness compared to chemotherapy. The program will include educational events and support resources for healthcare professionals and patients to learn more about their options when it comes to treatment.
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