Image used for representation only.
Doha, Qatar: In a significant stride forward, Qatar has witnessed a decade of unparalleled achievements and advancements that have directly translated into remarkable outcomes for cancer survivorship.
The country’s unwavering commitment to cutting-edge research, innovative treatments, and comprehensive healthcare strategies has yielded substantial progress in the battle against cancer.
According to the Qatar Cancer Plan 2023-2026, the commitment to research-driven interventions and patient-centric care has led to a commendable uptick in survival rates across various cancer types. Notably, the three-year survival rate surged from 65.6% in 2018 to 89.3% in 2020. Similarly, the five-year survival rate has experienced a substantial boost, rising from 59.7% in 2016 to an encouraging 80.2% in 2020.
Qatar’s Cancer Plan 2023-2026 launched in June under the title “Excellence for All,” covering seven areas that focus on investing in cancer services to save lives and provide long-term cost savings, including remote telemedicine for early cancer detection.
It has emphasied that due to advances in diagnostics and treatment, cancer survivors are now living longer and more involved in their care than ever before.
Due to the country’s high survival rate from cancer, Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC) established a cancer survivorship clinic that opened in 2020 as a first step in developing a robust survivorship program.
Qatar Cancer Plan 2023-2026’s chapter on ‘Quality Treatment and Ongoing Care’ has highlighted that cancer survivorship is more than just surviving a cancer diagnosis. It says, “ A cancer diagnosis affects not just the patient, but their families, friends, and caregivers, and the development of a cancer survivorship program in Qatar will be an integral part of the cancer program.”
According to the Qatar Cancer Plan 2023-2026, the survivorship program will be underpinned by the provision of specialised clinicians to ensure that patients are supported in their trajectory beyond cancer treatment.
It will be essential to establish parameters for discharge back to the care of the community, with the possibility of dedicated centers within Primary Health Care Corporation, which will be aligned to the cancer survivorship program.
The burden of cancer incidence and mortality is rapidly growing worldwide; this reflects both aging and growth of the population as well as changes in the prevalence and distribution of the main risk factors for cancer.
Cancer trends in Qatar closely resemble those observed worldwide, albeit with a comparably lower incidence than neighboring regions. Despite its youthful demographic, Qatar is undergoing an aging process, coupled with a notable prevalence of risk factors such as lifestyle choices and occupational hazards. This confluence suggests a considerable likelihood of a surge in cancer instances over the upcoming 10 to 20 years.
Qatar Cancer Plan 2023-2026 has outlined that since 2015, there has been a slow but steady increase in incidence, likely linked to lifestyle factors, increased life expectancy, and an aging population. In 2019, incidence rates were up to 17.97 per 100,000.
The data predicts that cancer incidence will rise to 26.24 cases per 100,000 people by 2025 and up to 33.55 cases per 100,000 people by 2030. These statistics underscore the compelling requirement for increased investment in preventive and clinical services. This investment is crucial to maintain alignment with the growing demands and to ensure the continued delivery of exceptional care for individuals battling cancer in Qatar.
Therefore, the Qatar Cancer Plan 2023-2026 underlines that it is imperative to allocate resources to avert this potential escalation as a proactive measure. The Plan aims not only to prevent the rise of cancer cases but also to establish adequate infrastructure and proficiency to handle the anticipated influx in the years to come effectively.
