Journey through cancer: a narrative of hope, progress and collaboration

For many, a cancer diagnosis marks the beginning of a challenging journey. However, for Prof Humaid Al Shamsi, Director of Oncology at Burjeel Holdings, and Dr Soha Abdelbaky, Consultant Medical Oncologist at Medcare, it means the beginning of a multi-faceted approach towards personalized treatment. “My approach to treating cancer is multifaceted and focuses on personalized medicine tailored to each patient’s condition,” explains Professor Al Shamsi. This involves a comprehensive analysis of the patient’s cancer type, stage, genetic makeup, and overall health.

Dr. Abdelbaky echoes this sentiment and emphasizes the importance of a multidisciplinary approach. “I follow a multidisciplinary approach to cancer treatment, which provides more personalized treatment based on the patient’s unique characteristics,” he adds. “It usually includes a combination of surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, targeted therapy, and immunotherapy, depending on the type and stage of the cancer.”

When cancer is caught early, it is often localized to one area and is more likely to be treated successfully. Both experts highlight the importance of early diagnosis of cancer. “Early diagnosis of cancer is crucial as it significantly increases the chances of successful treatment,” says Professor Al Shamsi. “Healthcare providers can educate the public about the importance of routine checkups, especially for people at higher risk due to factors such as age, family history or lifestyle,” he says.

Professor Al Shamsi says awareness campaigns, community health programs and collaborations with educational institutions can also help spread the message. “Encouraging people to adopt healthy behaviors and understanding the potential warning signs of cancer can lead to earlier diagnosis and better outcomes,” he says.

Dr. Abdelbaky emphasizes that healthcare providers play a vital role in raising awareness about cancer symptoms and promoting regular screening. “We need to educate the public about the common signs and symptoms of cancer and promote healthy lifestyle choices to reduce cancer risk,” he says.

According to Dr. Tarek Alkhouri, Chief of Medical Oncology at the Advanced Care Oncology Center, although survival improves when cancer is detected early, about 50 percent of cancers are at an advanced stage when they are diagnosed. “To achieve early detection of all cancers, many challenges need to be overcome,” says Dr. Alkhouri. “It is vital to better understand who is at greatest risk of developing cancer. “We also need to elucidate the biology and trajectory of precancerous and early cancer to identify consequent diseases requiring intervention. Knowledge must be translated into sensitive and specific early detection technologies and appropriately evaluated to support practical clinical implementation.”

Dr. Alkhouri explains that screening involves systematic screening of an apparently healthy, asymptomatic at-risk population with a test to detect the disease at an early stage. However, the implementation is quite complex and resource-intensive. “Screening can be population-based (inviting the entire target population at appropriate intervals) or opportunistic (at patient initiation or by invitation to an unrelated clinical encounter),” he says. “To date, general population screening is recommended only for cervical, colorectal and female breast cancer, depending on the resources of each country.”

Over the years, cancer treatment has undergone significant changes. Initially treatments were more generalized, but there has been a shift towards personalized medicine. “Advances in genomic testing have allowed us to better understand the genetic basis of tumors, leading to more targeted therapies,” says Professor Al Shamsi.

Furthermore, Professor Al Shamsi says that advances in radiotherapy and minimally invasive surgical techniques have improved treatment outcomes and reduced side effects. “The integration of digital technology and artificial intelligence into diagnosis and treatment planning is also a notable advancement,” he says.

Dr. Abdelbaky highlights the emergence of targeted therapies, immunotherapy and precision medicine as promising advances in cancer treatment. “Targeted therapies attack specific cancer cells, immunotherapy stimulates the body’s immune response against cancer, and precision medicine uses genetic testing to personalize treatment plans,” says Dr. Abdelbaky. “Promising advances include liquid biopsies for early cancer detection and gene editing technologies for more effective treatments.”

Both experts agree on the fundamental role of research in the advancement of cancer treatment. “Research is fundamental to my practice and the cornerstone of advancing cancer treatment,” says Professor Al Shamsi. “Participating in clinical trials is also essential, as it provides access to new therapies and contributes to a broader understanding of cancer treatment. My practice involves applying current research results and contributing to future discoveries through clinical studies and collaborations with research institutions.”

Dr. Abdelbaky emphasizes that staying up to date on the latest research findings helps provide the best possible care to patients. “Research plays a vital role in my practice by informing treatment decisions, identifying new therapies, and improving patient care outcomes,” he says.

Prof. Al Shamsi expressed hope that advances in precision medicine and immunotherapy will continue, citing their potential for more effective and personalized treatments. “Advances in genetic sequencing and molecular profiling should be harnessed to develop therapies targeting specific genetic mutations in tumors,” says Professor Al Shamsi. “I hope that there will be further advances in immunotherapy that could make it effective against a broader range of cancers and that advances in minimally invasive surgical techniques and more precise radiotherapies would be beneficial. I also envision more excellent integration of digital health and artificial intelligence in cancer care, improving diagnosis, treatment planning and patient monitoring. Ultimately, I look forward to advances that will improve survival rates and significantly improve the quality of life for cancer patients.”

Dr. Abdelbaky echoed these sentiments, highlighting the importance of personalized medicine and the development of more effective targeted therapies with fewer side effects.

The medical profession has evolved significantly with cancer treatment, particularly in the shift toward more personalized and less invasive approaches. There has been increasing recognition of the importance of understanding the genetic and molecular underpinnings of different cancers, leading to more targeted therapies. “The role of multidisciplinary teams has become more pronounced, combining the expertise of oncologists, surgeons, radiologists, pathologists and others,” says Professor Al Shamsi. “The use of technology in diagnosis and treatment planning has advanced significantly, imaging techniques are becoming more sophisticated, and the use of AI is beginning to play a role in decision-making.”

There has also been an increased emphasis on patient-centred care, recognizing the importance of quality of life, psychological support and palliative care in cancer treatment. The field has become more collaborative, with greater partnerships between doctors, researchers and pharmaceutical companies to accelerate the development of new therapies.

Dr. Abdelbaky agrees that the medical profession has evolved significantly in relation to cancer treatment, with greater emphasis on personalized medicine, multidisciplinary care teams, and patient-centered approaches. “There is also a growing recognition of the importance of life-saving care and support services for patients and their families,” he says.

Dr Sivaprakash Rathanaswamy, Consultant Oncology at Al Qusais Aster Hospital, discusses how the hospital employs cutting-edge imaging technologies and a collaborative team approach to improve accuracy and early detection in cancer diagnosis.

Aster Hospital offers ultrasound, CT and MRI facilities along with interventional radiology for biopsy and other interventions for cancer detection. Even smaller tumors identified by screening were targeted for guided biopsies, allowing for early detection and treatment.

We hold weekly tumor board meetings with all oncologists, pathologists and radiologists and discuss the optimal individualized treatment options for each patient.

We have coordinators in each department, including oncology, who communicate effectively with patients once reports are submitted. We have support group services called Cosmos where we conduct regular meetings with survivors and provide our support in social financial rehabilitation and other support issues they face in daily life.