Saudi- Cancer conference addresses advances in treatment and care 

(MENAFN - Arab News) The fourth international conference on breast cancer, which got underway this week at the Intercontinental Hotel Jeddah, featured more than 500 health experts on national and international level.

The conference was organized by National Guard Health Affairs under the auspices of Dr. Saad Al-Mohrij, the director general of Medical Affairs of National Guard Health Affairs.

Dr. Meteb Al-Foheidi, chairman of the International Scientific Committee advisory conference, said during the 2-day conference that open channels of communication between international and local oncologists to understand the new developments in breast cancer will help lead to better treatment.

Physicians discussed resistance mechanisms of cancer cells to hormonal therapy in breast cancer, scientific research in breast tumors, developments and medical advance in the lymph node surgery, cosmetic surgery as what are modern concepts, techniques to maximize the successes and there side effects, concept of radiation therapy, pre-surgery chemotherapy, is there a relationship between obesity and breast tumors, the desired objectives while conducting scientific studies in the advanced stages of breast tumors.

"For this year's slogan we chose 'prevention is the goal' as ...

25 percent of females of middle age are diagnosed, with the average age of 47 years, and more than 50 percent women are diagnosed at its second and third stage," said Dr. Foheidi.

He also said the recent data indicate that breast cancer is playing a key role in the public health and it is expected to increase rates of breast cancer in the future to a large extent.

Recent studies showed that the incidence of breast cancer will increase by 350 percent and the mortality rate because of the disease will increase by 160 percent in the next 10 years.

This can put a great burden on the kingdoms health sector because of the variables current social problems as inactivity, obesity and increasing growth in population.

"To search for a solution to improve health and reduce deaths from breast cancer, we have no other choice than to raise awareness among women of Saudi society," he said.

"Early detection of breast tumors can help in reducing deaths and can help the proportion of full recovery, through dissemination of early screening culture will also help in reduction in the waste of state resources to treat advanced cases."

He also said that the awareness of early detection of the tumor by following medical advice and guidance which urges self-examination, clinical examination, and a mammogram every year for women with average starting age of 40.

Dr. Saad Al-Mohrij praised the support from the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, king Abdullah bin Abdulaziz and Crown Prince Salman bin Abdulaziz for making the level of health care up to international standards.

"Perhaps the most important aspect is to build a qualified national cadres up to highest levels and the National Guard Health Affairs are building these cadres by supporting training, development programs, holding seminars and specialized conferences and workshops," said Dr. Mohrij.

He also said on the important role played by the National Guard Health Affairs, as the health of citizens is the most prominent priority.

Under the supervision of Prince Miteb bin Abdullah bin Abdulaziz, minister and member of the Ministerial Council Chairman of the National Guard and Dr. Bandar bin Abdul Mohsin Al-Qanawi, the executive director general of the National Guard Health Affairs and director of the King Saud bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences, National Guard health affairs always play an important role in the development of the ability of doctors and staff to keep pace with their scientific peers in developed countries.