UAE doctors told early cancer detection saves lives

The UAE Ministry of Health conducted a hematology educational symposium here yesterday and presented an opportunity for physicians in government hospitals of the northern emirates to learn more about how to tackle different cancers in a rapidly growing population.

The two main diseases being addressed were chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) and thalassemia, both of which are prevalent in the UAE.

"The event is critical to the continuing medical education of physicians in the northern emirates who treat CML and thalassemia, and this year we were able to secure close to one hundred physicians from different government hospitals,"

said Dr. Husain Ali Zadeh, from Tawam Hospital in affiliation with Johns Hopkins Medicine.

Thalassemia, an inherited blood disorder, is a highly prevalent disease in the UAE but can easily be prevented with a simple and inexpensive blood test.

Thalassemia carriers are healthy people and can have healthy children, but they should not marry other carriers or they risk producing children born with Thalassemia.

"Early cancer detection and referral to specialists is the fastest way to ensure a positive clinical outcome among cancer patients here in the UAE," said Dr. Fatma Sajwani, Specialist Haematologist, Al Qassimi Hospital.

"There are new treatment options available to extend and improve the lives of cancer patients, but UAE doctors have to move fast to ensure positive therapeutic results," Concluded Dr. Sajwani.