World Cancer Congress begins, more than 450 attend

Muscat, Nov 3
The World Cancer Congress Summit and Exhibition was officially inaugurated on Monday evening at the Oman Convention and Exhibition Centre.
Organised by the Oman Cancer Association to coincide with its 25th anniversary, the first day of the summit was dedicated to the community.
The open day for the community saw more than 450 attendees from within the country and abroad.
Dr Shaikh Kahlan bin Nabhan al Kharousi, Assistant Grand Mufti of the Sultanate of Oman, delivered a speech emphasising the importance of taking care of one's health and the significance of early detection. He advised that people should not be wary of a cancer diagnosis.
Princess Dina Mired, a global advocate from Jordan, particularly in the field of cancer, who moderated the panel discussion, told the Observer that most people think about hospitals and labs when they hear about cancer. 'They think about the technical side of health, but they forget that without empowering the local community with knowledge and inclusion, no health policy in the world can succeed. This is true unless the community is involved in the decision and policy-making process in the health sector,' she said.
She said it was wonderful to have the World Cancer Congress in Oman because it brings together everyone from the Middle East region and North Africa.
'We all know that the fight against cancer requires all hands on deck. The networking opportunities and the sharing of knowledge and experiences in the MENA region and beyond are vital to accelerate the fight against cancer.'
During the community session, attendees expressed their interest in learning more about ways to prevent cancer and early detection. The discussion touched upon the role of an individual and what a person can do to spread the word.
The question and answer session discussed the role and work of the Oman Cancer Association, and areas where the public may need more assistance, such as adults coming to Muscat for treatment from other parts of Oman. There were also questions asked about support for cancer survivors and their families.
Discussions also focused on the role of family members, such as a husband whose wife has been diagnosed with cancer. It all shows that people want solutions to the problems they face on a daily basis, whether they are from their own families or from people around them,' explained Dr Zahid al Mandhari, Radiation Oncologist and board member of OCA. Cancer survivors and doctors also participated in the discussions.