Saudi Arabia, Japan to exchange experience in cancer therapy 

(MENAFN - Arab News) Saudi Arabia plans to exchange experience with Japan to treat cancer patients through a treatment called proton therapy.

"We are very keen on giving the best treatment for the people in the Kingdom making use of the latest medical facilities in the world," Deputy Health Minister for Planning and Development Dr. Mohammed Al-Khoshaim said on Wednesday.

He was speaking after a meeting with Teruhiko Mashiko, a member of the Japanese House of Councilors, and other members of a visiting Japanese delegation in Riyadh.

"We can equip our people with the required skills and knowledge with such cooperation from friendly countries like Japan, which has excelled in the field of proton therapy to treat cancer," Al-Khosahim said.

Mashiko also had discussions with Riyadh Gov. Prince Salman, Minister of Commerce and Industry Abdullah Zainal Alireza and Abdul Mohsen Al-Zakari, chairman of the Saudi-Japanese Parliamentary Friendship Committee of the Shoura Council. Proton therapy is a new type of radiotherapy that reduces cancer cells by accelerating protons and beaming them onto cancer cells.

The main difference between proton therapy and traditional radiotherapy is distribution of radiation in the body. The treatment is considered less invasive than traditional radiation therapy.

Mashiko said that one in five cancer patients that require chemotherapy could benefit from proton therapy. There are 31 proton therapy facilities worldwide, eight of which are located in Japan.

The Japanese delegation is on a visit to the Kingdom to promote medical tourism to Japan and to promote bilateral trade and investment.

By Md Rasooldeen