'Middle East takes major step forward in battle against cancer and hematological diseases,' say experts

Held under the patronage of the Dubai Government's Department of Health and Medical Services, the event brought together physicians from across the region to discuss ways of tackling some of the most life-threatening illnesses, with speakers presenting information on a range of effective treatments for breast and bone cancer, and neuroendocrine tumors.

Beating Breast Cancer in the Middle East
Other presentations at the event focused upon advances in the treatment of breast cancer and related conditions.

In addition, speakers presented and discussed improvements being made around the world in the treatment of bone cancers, hematological cancers, and gastro-intestinal cancers.

"Cancer casts a shadow across the Middle East as a whole, but the medical community is currently seeing major strides forward in our understanding of these conditions. By bringing together many of the major figures in this field, Oncology 2005 aims to make a major contribution to the lives of cancer sufferers," said Dr. Farid Khalifa, MD, Head of the Oncology Department at Dubai Hospital.

In total, 500 physicians attended the two-day event, the first of its kind to be held in the Middle East, with regional representatives attending from Bahrain, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Lebanon, Oman, Qatar, Syria, Turkey, and United Arab Emirates.

One of its key sponsors, Novartis Oncology, has already expressed interest in holding the event in the Middle East again in the near future.

"Novartis Oncology is dedicated to providing a steady flow of critical new therapies for cancer sufferers in the Middle East, and this event has seen a number of breakthrough therapies presented to the region's physician community for the first time," said Rainer Boehm, Vice President, Novartis Oncology. "The primary objective of Oncology 2005 is to enable the Middle East to take a major step forward in the ongoing battle against cancer."