JEDDAH: Marking the month of October as breast cancer awareness month, Novartis brought together Saudi Arabia’s leading doctors treating breast cancer at the Sofitel Jeddah, bringing to the fore the latest advancements in breast cancer treatments and patient quality of life protocols.
Novartis provides innovative health care solutions that address the evolving needs of patients and societies.
In the Kingdom, breast cancer is the most common type of cancer of which women are diagnosed. In 2013, 29.1% of all cancer incidences were breast cancer, where the highest incidence rates were reported in the Eastern Province and the median age being 50.
The incidence rates by region were recorded as: Eastern Province 41.0/100,000; Riyadh at 29.3/100,000; Makkah at 25.3/100,000; Northern region at 25.0/100,000; and Tabuk at 24.9/100,000.
A number of factors are attributed to the rising numbers which is not unique to the Kingdom, however, the Ministry of Health estimates that the rate will quadruple in the Middle East over the next 20 years.
Awareness efforts to drive early detection are significantly helping patients come to a better prognosis and their overall quality of life. However, awareness levels are still reported to be low Kingdom wide. Dr. Adel El-Sayes, medical director of the Saudi Cancer Foundation said: “Management and treatment of cancer has significantly evolved over the years. We understand the disease better, that resulted in what we have today — better treatment options and protocols to manage the diagnosis versus what we had even five years ago. Today what we believe we now need are better strategies to raise levels of understanding for patients and their families. It’s a critical component that we work together to ease the burden of a diagnosis and encourage patients to approach their conditions more holistically.”
Treatment and management of a cancer diagnosis have evolved dramatically in the last decade. Chemotherapy is no longer the only answer and there are oral therapies that are far more forgiving on the body and specifically target breast cancer.
The new treatment protocol was approved in the Kingdom and is specifically for metastasized breast cancer and has proven to have a higher success rate with much lower side effects. This gives way for more patients and their caregivers to get better treatment and a greater quality of living while being treated.
A new area of exploration for patient health management is holistic well-being with nutritional, emotional and physical wellness approached and incorporated with the treatment protocol developed for each patient. Patient health care services have expanded from medication-driven to overall well-being driven treatment protocols of looking at patients and their all-around needs.
Speaking on the unmet needs of breast cancer patients, Prof. Ahmed Ali Saadeddin, consultant in clinical oncology and clinical tutor at the Department of Adult Oncology at King Abdul Aziz Medical City/National Guard Health Affair Riyadh discussed the emotional and psychological toll a diagnosis like breast cancer has on patients and their immediate loved ones.
“A breast cancer diagnosis can bring about a continuous amount of stigma for patients in the Kingdom and significant stress from the judgment they endure from family and society, over and above the stress of a new diagnosis. The emotional needs of a breast cancer patient occur over a spectrum of social, psychological and physiological burdens for both the patient and their family. Assessment of this need is a critical step in providing high-quality care for patients that cannot be overlooked in favor of only a medication.”
He added: “It is very important to stress the fact that there has been a significant improvement in the outcome of treatment for breast cancer in view of a better understanding of the disease, more personalized treatment approaches with the use of targeted and biological therapies, as well as excellent progress in research to understand the mechanism of resistance of such therapies.”
More than 65% of Saudi women are diagnosed with regional and distant breast cancer which represents advanced stages in breast cancer. Advancements and medical breakthroughs in breast cancer today presents hope of a normal life after cancer. The therapies now approved for treatment of breast cancer are more targeted to directly affect the breast cancer with no need for hospitalization resulting from significantly less impact on the body overall in comparison to previous treatments.
“A late diagnosis today does not mean the end of patients’ lives, rather the outlook is far more positive. More research is being done to find answers to improve the quality of life for those patients. Today we are hopeful for a good outcome for our patients with more modalities and strategies for managing the disease and the treatment of symptoms,” said Dr. Meteb Al-Foheidi, medical oncology consultant, assistant professor and medical oncology block coordinator at King Saud Bin Abdul Aziz University for Health and Science in Jeddah.
Novartis brings leading breast cancer doctors together in Saudi Arabia
Novartis brings leading breast cancer doctors together in Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia braced for heavy rainfall, Civil Defense issues warning
- NCM forecasts higher than average figures for rain in May
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia is set to receive more rainfall toward the weekend, with Riyadh and its outskirts likely to witness heavy rains from Friday to next Tuesday.
In addition, the National Center for Meteorology said on Tuesday: “May forecasts indicate a chance of higher than average rainfall.”
More rain is forecast this week in Makkah, Jazan, Aseer, Al-Baha, the Eastern Province, and regions in Riyadh, the NCM added.
Makkah and the surrounding areas are set to experience heavy showers, while Riyadh, Wadi Al-Dawasir, and Al-Sulayil will receive medium rainfall.
Southern regions like Jizan, Najran, Asir, and Al-Baha will be impacted by medium to heavy rainfall, with Jizan and Asir expected to receive torrential rain and strong winds.
Saudi Arabia’s General Directorate of Civil Defense has issued weather warnings and safety instructions.
Its message, which has been sent to residents, said: “Forecasts from the NCM indicate that there will be moderate to heavy rainfall in the Riyadh region (Riyadh, Diriyah, Muzahmiyah, Al-Harij, Al-Kharj, Hotat Bani Tamim, Al-Majmaah, Thadiq, Marat, Al-Ghat, Al-Zulfi, Shaqraa, and Huraymila).
“The Civil Defense calls on everyone to take caution and adhere to its instructions. May God make it rain of goodness and blessings and spread it to benefit all parts of the country. Your cooperation and your safety is our goal.”
The NCM has also warned of high-speed winds that may cause sandstorms, further complicating the situation. Consequently, the Civil Defense has urged the public to stay at home during the severe weather and avoid going to valleys and waterlogged areas, while adhering to all safety directives.
The UAE, Oman, and Bahrain were hit by heavy storms last week that saw unprecedented levels of rainfall.
The UAE experienced its highest-ever rainfall in a 24-hour period since climate data records began in 1949.
Saudi cabinet reiterates commitment to regional security, stability
RIYADH: King Salman briefed on Tuesday the Council of Ministers on recent regional dynamics and global affairs, Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported.
The cabinet reiterated the Kingdom’s commitment to fostering security and stability globally and regionally.
It called on the international community to fulfill its obligations in halting Israeli assaults on civilians in Gaza and support the Palestinian people's right to self-determination, advocating for their state based on the 1967 borders with its capital.
The Council of Ministers welcomed the outcomes of the second ministerial meeting of the strategic dialogue between the Gulf Cooperation Council and Central Asian countries.
The cabinet also welcomed participants of the special meeting of the World Economic Forum, scheduled for next Sunday and Monday in Riyadh.
The King Faisal Prize 2024 awarded to four scientists and Japanese Association
- The service to Islam prize was awarded to the Japan Muslim Association
- The event is the most prestigious in the Muslim world and recognizes outstanding achievements in services to Islam
Riyadh: The winners of this year’s King Faisal Prize received their awards at a glittering ceremony staged in Riyadh on Monday.
Held under the auspices of King Salman, Riyadh Gov. Prince Faisal bin Bandar attended the ceremony, handing over the King Faisal International Award to laureates in its 46th edition.
The event is the most prestigious in the Muslim world and recognizes outstanding achievements in services to Islam, Islamic studies, Arabic language and literature, medicine, and science.
Prince Turki Al-Faisal, founder and trustee of the King Faisal Foundation and chairman of the King Faisal Center for Research and Islamic Studies, said: “This award carries a prestigious name in a great country ... to honor science and scientists from various corners of the world who have contributed to presenting scientific research and inventions that have advanced humanity and served mankind.
“This honor always comes primarily for scientific achievement without considering any geographical, racial, religious, or sectarian considerations, hence the prize has gained appreciation from universities and scientific centers in various parts of the world,” Prince Turki added.
The service to Islam prize was awarded to the Japan Muslim Association for its care for the affairs of Muslims in Japan and interest in Muslim youth through education.
The selection committee also decided to grant the award to Dr. Mohammad Al-Sammak of Lebanon, for his early and continuous contributions in promoting Islamic-Christian dialogue, his hard work in strengthening relations and communication with others, and his active participation in dialogue conferences regarding the relationship between Islam and other beliefs, in addition to his presidency and active membership of many establishments, bodies and associations concerned with tolerance and peace.
The Islamic Studies prize was granted to Dr. Wael Hallaq, writer of “Islamic Systems and their Contemporary Applications,” a professor at Columbia University in the US, who succeeded in providing a scientific reference parallel to the traditional Orientalist writings influential in international universities, which appeared in his many works and have been translated into many languages, and his success in building a guide to the development of Islamic legislation throughout history.
Dr. Jerry Roy Mendell, a US national and a professor at Ohio State University, was granted the medicine prize for his work in screening, early diagnosis, and treatment of patients suffering from spinal muscular atrophy and Duchenne muscular dystrophy, osteochondrodystrophy, as the first researcher to demonstrate the safety and efficacy of high-dose adeno-associated virus gene transfer therapy for spinal muscular atrophy type 1 patients, a globally approved treatment.
Dr. Howard Yuan-Hao Chang, another US national, won the science prize for his pioneering contributions in explaining the role played by non-coding RNA in the regulation and function of genes. He developed innovative means to identify regulatory sites within DNA. These discoveries have had a great effect on the field of molecular biology and genetics, and a great role in understanding complex human diseases.
The selection committee for the King Faisal Prize for Arabic Language and Literature, whose subject this year was “The Efforts of Establishments Outside the Arab World to Spread the Arabic Language,” decided to withhold the award for 2024 “as the nominated works did not meet the award’s criteria,” according to a statement.
The King Faisal Prize was established in 1977 by the King Faisal Foundation. It was first granted in 1979 to recognize individuals and establishments and their outstanding achievements in its five categories.
Riyadh prepares to host special meeting of World Economic Forum
- Special meeting scheduled to be held in Riyadh on April 28-29
- Heads of state and senior private sector executives to attend
RIYADH: Final preparations are taking place this week in the Saudi capital, Riyadh, for a special meeting of the World Economic Forum in the city on April 28 and 29.
Heads of state and senior executives from the public and private sectors are expected to be among the participants, who will discuss a range of global economic issues and developments under the theme “Global Collaboration, Growth and Energy for Development.”
The aim of the meeting is to find solutions to a host of global challenges relating to humanitarian issues, the climate and the economy. On the sidelines of the main event, the Kingdom will host exhibitions and other events to highlight the latest developments and trends in areas such as sustainability, innovation and culture.
The selection of Riyadh as host of the special meeting reflects the extensive partnership between Saudi Arabia and the WEF, officials said.
It builds upon the Kingdom’s active participation and contributions to the WEF’s Annual Meetings in Davos.
The agenda is designed to rekindle the spirit of cooperation and collaboration with various panel discussions, workshops, and networking opportunities. It represents a significant gathering of global leaders and experts dedicated to forging a path toward a more resilient, sustainable, and equitable world.
Saudi defense minister, British counterpart discuss military escalation in region
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Defense Prince Khalid bin Salman received a phone call on Monday from UK Secretary of State for Defense Grant Shapps.
The officials discussed military escalation in the region, its repercussions, and efforts towards containing it.
They also reviewed strategic bilateral relations and military cooperation.
