Oman Ministry Releases Cancer Report

MUSCAT The Ministry of Health recently released its annual report for 2005 on the incidence of cancer in the Sultanate, which will be the foundation to create a database on cancer. According to the report, there were 876 cancer cases among Omanis in 2005 with 464 male and 412 female cases. The common cancer cases in the Sultanate are stomach and breast cancer as well as leukaemia and lymphoma. Nabil Bin Hamoud Al Siabi of the National Cancer Registry prepared the report. “The information contained in the report constitutes an essential base for any national programme to combat cancer. The report provides directions and guidance on the proper ways to combat cancer if followed effectively and efficiently,” he said. “As is known, the national programme for the fight against cancer is considered a public health programme that provides a national strategy based on the realities of the causes of cancer and elements to control it.” These elements include prevention, early detection, diagnosis and treatment. The report also outlines cancer research and monitoring of cancer in the Sultanate. This will help to reduce the occurrence of cancer, mortality and contribute to reducing the suffering of cancer victims. The report indicated that there were 54 cancer cases in non-Omanis apart from the 876 Omani cases. Stomach, prostate cancer, leukaemia and lymphoma were the most common among males, while breast, thyroid, stomach, and lymphoma were common among females. In all, 25 per cent of children’s cancer cases are cases of leukaemia. For Oman's cancer incidence please visit http://www.moh.gov.om/nv_menu.php?fNm=reports/report.htm Alami Consulting