RIYADH, 15 October — Seven thousand cases of cancer are reported in the Kingdom every year. Of these, 1,000 patients are children. Among women, 19.8 percent cases relate to breast cancer, followed by cancer of the thyroid, leukemia and lymphoma.
These figures were released at a three-day international symposium on cancer that was inaugurated yesterday on behalf of Riyadh Governor Prince Salman by Dr. Anwar Al-Jabarty, executive director of King Faisal Specialist Hospital & Research Center, which hosts the conference.
Speaking to reporters later, Dr. Futwan Al-Mohanna, deputy executive director of the research center, said that among males liver cancer accounted for 9.8 percent of the total cancer cases followed by lymphoma, leukemia and lung cancer.
Leukemia seemed common among children, with one-tenth of every 1,000 cancer cases falling into this category.
Dr. Mohanna said 103 speakers from 18 countries and international organizations are participating in the conference, which will look at conventional and unconventional means of diagnosing and treating cancer.
“We are examining different schools of thought to find out the most effective way of dealing with this dreadful disease,” he said. Over 700 cancer experts are attending the conference.
The KFSH executive disclosed that they have an ongoing research program with the Prince Salman Center for Disability Research. “As a result of this research, 29 diseases can be diagnosed from a single drop of blood. The findings of this research could go a long way in preventing disabilities among children.”
Asked about the factors responsible for the incidence of cancer, Dr. Al-Mohanna, who is also the chairman of the conference’s organizing committee, said no single factor could be blamed for this disease.
“It is the cumulative result of various factors, including one’s eating habits, lifestyle, environment and stress.”
The executive pointed out that the hospital’s research center has stepped up research activities to determine if genetic factors have any role to play in the incidence of cancer.
“We are also doing research on cardiovascular diseases and Hepatitis B & C, among other things. “After all, we want the cancer victims to know that we share their concern and are doing everything in that direction as a research institution,” he said.
Organizers have arranged a series of outings for participants on the sidelines of the conference. Asir, and Madain Saleh are on the itinerary, as is a falkonry trip and a desert hunting trip.
