(MENAFN- Khaleej Times) A lack of cancer control in a national policy can gravely affect the development of an economy, according to experts who recently participated in the 2014 World Cancer Congress (WCC).
Shining a spotlight on the effectiveness of local initiatives being implemented in the UAE in the fight against cancer, Friends of Cancer Patients (FoCP) played a pivotal role at this year's Congress, held in Melbourne, Australia.
With a focus on 'The Economics of Cancer Prevention and Control', president of the Board of Trustees and founding member of FoCP Ameera Binkaram told Khaleej Times it is imperative for countries to invest in worthwhile cancer initiatives.
"Cancer poses major economic implications, particularly for low- and middle-income countries, and therefore investing in cancer prevention and awareness programmes, as Friends of Cancer Patients advocates, is absolutely essential and makes long-term financial sense."
She also said not having cancer control in the heart of national policy can have detrimental consequences on the economy, growth and development of a country too.
The leading cancer-specific charity in the country and a member of the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC) since 2010, FoCP's participation in the Congress saw global attention drawn to the significant advancements that the UAE has made over recent years in raising cancer control and awareness.
Introducing three new cancer awareness initiatives this year under the Kashf early detection initiative, including 'Mole Talk' (skin cancer), 'Shanab' (male cancers) and 'Ana' (childhood cancers), Binkaram said the FoCP will focus on driving home the importance of cancer talk in the next few years.
"Cervical and colorectal cancer (awareness schemes are) on the agenda for 2015-2016."
The biennial WCC attracts highly influential and leading specialists, who address the challenges and advances in the oncology milieu including topics related to prevention, screening, diagnosis, treatment, care and survivorship, advocacy along with ground-breaking cancer control systems.
This year, it hosted more than 2,700 delegates from 110 countries.
Speaking at the Congress, UICC president Mary Gospodarowicz praised the efforts made by the FoCP in the fight against cancer over the past few years.
"We are thrilled to have organisations such as the Friends of Cancer Patients playing such an active role in this meeting, and sharing their knowledge and experiences with others."
On the significance of the FoCP's involvement in the event, Binkaram said the importance of the charity's participation in the 2014 WCC lies in its diversity.
"This year, we have considerably expanded the scope of our contribution in comparison to our involvement in the 2012 WCC held in Montreal. International collaborations, global initiatives and knowledge-sharing with other organisations around the world are all essential to moving forward in developing strategies with long-term benefits."
This year's conference, titled 'Joining Forces: Accelerating Progress', reinforced the impact of investing in existing knowledge rather than waiting for prospective advances to change the scene.
During the Congress, FoCP highlighted the efforts of all healthcare bodies in the UAE who work alongside the charity, namely the Ministry of Health, governmental healthcare bodies, Heath Authority - Abu Dhabi (Haad), Dubai Health Authority (DHA), and Sharjah Health Authority (SHA).
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