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Dubai: Incidence of cancer in the UAE is expected to rise among children and the elderly, said a leading oncologist in Dubai.
Oncologists are already reporting an increase of cancer cases in children and of prostate cancer in men.
Dr Fareed Khalifa, head of the oncology department at Dubai Hospital, told Gulf News more children were already coming in for diagnosis and treatment.
"Lymphomas in children are increasing, such as Burkett's Lymphoma. Another common one is acute leukaemia [blood cancer]. Some of the children with Burkett's [who are usually under the age of 5] tend to come in late, but the cancers are usually easy to treat," he said.
"For leukaemia, they come in early because they get symptoms," he added.
According to a recent news report, 120 children in the UAE are diagnosed with cancer each year. The most common cancer among children is leukaemia, comprising 50 per cent of cases. One in five is under the age of 15.
Cancer is more likely to affect the very old.
"I expect prostate cancer to rise [especially]. It is already increasing by a bit, but I'm expecting a dramatic increase in 10 years, when the population ages," Khalifa said.
According to latest available statistics, Dubai Health and Medical Services (Dohms) recorded cancer as the second leading cause of death for expatriates and UAE nationals who seek treatment at public facilities, at 17 per cent.
The bulk of cancer cases received at Dubai Hospital, which is the only cancer treatment centre in the northern emirates, are among adults, comprising mostly breast cancer, colorectal cancer and lymphomas. The most common cancers in the UAE are colorectal and lung cancers, while the most common cancer among women is breast cancer, according to the Ministry of Health.
Dr Khalifa said treatment for breast cancer was still problematic, not because treatment was unavailable, but because patients "disregard the symptoms until too late".
"Women usually discover a lump while they are in the shower. Some wait weeks, months before they go to a doctor," he said.
Hiding
"There are still too many who are hiding breast cancer," he added.
Other cancers are hard to discover, thus making it hard to treat, such as liver cancer, pancreatic cancer and lung cancer.
These cancers have the average life expectancy of seven months, with liver cancer being the most deadly at four months.
However, these cancers, with exception of lung cancer, are uncommon.
Khalifa said all types of cancer are expected to rise, along with the global trend. He blamed lifestyle and environmental factors for the expected increase.
"The world has higher radiation levels now, and people are also living more unhealthy lifestyles. They have bad diets, smoke cigarettes, consume too many artificial things that are carcinogenic, such as artificial sweeteners," he said.
Medicines can also lead to cancer. These include tumour-necrosis factor (TNF) blockers used to treat rheumatoid arthritis and steroids for eczema, and usually carry a black box warning to that effect. Recently, the US Food and Drug Administration warned doctors to look out for cancers among children using TNF blockers after 30 such cases were reported.
I expect prostate cancer to rise [especially]. It is already increasing a bit, but I'm expecting a dramatic increase in 10 years."
Dr Fareed Khalifa
Oncologist
My father died three years ago, three months after he was diagnosed. I was surprised when I found out because he was so strong. The onlytell-tale sign was that he had a mild cough for a year so I told him to get it checked out. When he died, I lost my rock. I used to go to him for advice. Now, I'm on my own. My dad was a heavy smoker. I used to smoke but quit when my children were born, but I wouldn't start again because of what happened to my father."
Mohammad Jamal, Pakistan,
Lost his father to lung cancer
My uncle was like a second father to me. He died two years ago, within six months of being diagnosed. We were surprised he had cancer, although he had a persistent cough and had lost a shocking amount of weight fast. We didn't tell him at first, but when he did, he refused chemotherapy. His death is still very painful for me. I quit smoking when I saw what my uncle went through."
Mohammad Abid Haroon, Pakistan
Lost his uncle to lung cancer
Your comments
Congratulations on your timely article about cancer in UAE. Dr Khalifa is absolutely right predicting the sharp rise of cancer incidence, such as prostate cancer for example.
I happened to see your article only because we are visiting the Gulf for the transfer of the latest cancer diagnostic technology from Oxford. There is a clear understanding of the problem and justifiable interest from a number of Gulf countries, from Qatar to Abu Dhabi. As an Oxford academic and representative of an Oxford cancer diagnostic company I could attest to the currently poor level of diagnostics across the world for such mainstream diseases as prostate, colorectal and breast cancer. We are also well aware of the early predisposition for breast cancer in the Gulf countries. Cost of treatment and care for cancer patients reaches astronomical sums in many developed countries. Early diagnosis and preventive care is rightly becoming a health care and economic issue. Your article raises awareness well on time.
Alexandre Akoulitchev
Oxford,United Kingdom
Posted: November 29, 2008, 15:04
I am sure that the reason for leukaemia in children is living near all the electrical towers.
In many countries the law is to keep safe distance between accomodation and those high voltage towers.
FF
Dubai,UAE
Posted: November 29, 2008, 14:23
I am frustrated by several issues:
1) The list of ingredients is often difficult to read on food packages.
2)Abundance of use of MonoSodium Glutamate without adequate warnings.
3)Staff who don't know the ingredients of food they are selling.
4)A smoking adult in the car with kids is very common.
5) Some schools do not stop students and teachers from smoking.
Lor
Al Ain,UAE
Posted: November 29, 2008, 13:20
My child was two and a half years old when diagnosed with Stage 4 Neuroblastoma.
He was treated at the Sick Kids Hospital in Toronto, Canada.
He went through several rounds of chemo, surgery, stem cell transplant and radiation.
Several paediatricians and specialists in Dubai diagnosed the symptoms incorrectly. The child was finally diagnosed by a CT scan radiologist. The CT was done at my own will.
The health system in Dubai is sadly very behind when it comes to cancer treatment.
Umair Jalil
Ajax,Canada
Posted: November 29, 2008, 13:13
Thank you for the information. I lead many of my friends and relatives to this article, especially the ones who smoke.
Mansoor
Hyderabad,India
Posted: November 29, 2008, 11:35
Everybody should be given proper education on health awareness, proper diet and natural food intake. Many companies are now available to educate each and everyone on how to stay healthy.
Michael
Phoenix,United States
Posted: November 29, 2008, 09:56
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