Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC) has implemented a comprehensive Cardio-Oncology Service which provides care for patients to prevent or limit potential side-effects of cancer therapies on the heart which is the first programme of its kind in the region.
The excellence of the programme hinges upon a multidisciplinary approach to patients’ care with cardiologists, oncologists, clinical nurse specialists and clinical researchers from HMC’s Heart Hospital and National Center for Cancer Care and Research (NCCCR) working closely together.
“Qatar is the first country in the region to have a National Cancer Strategy. Cancer services in Qatar are established to international standards. Cancer survival rates in Qatar are equal to leading Western countries.
The recent National Cancer Framework 2017-2022 calls for the establishment of a cardio-oncology service for the benefit of cancer patients,” Prof. K.R Alexander Knuth, Medical Director and CEO of the NCCCR told The Peninsula. “Qatar is the first country in the Gulf Region to have a Cardio-Oncology Programme” he said, speaking on the sidelines of the First Qatar Cardio-Oncology Conference held on Saturday.
Cardio-Oncology is a multidisciplinary field focusing on the prevention, detection and management of cardiovascular complications in cancer patients and survivors. Today’s cancer treatments often lead to cure, but may occasionally cause cardiovascular health problems. But these can be predicted, managed and minimized if detected early.
“The Cardio-Oncology programme also offers great research potential, for example it could link to the Qatar Genome Project to study genes and hereditary conditions of cancer patients to identify risk factors of developing cardiac problems related to cancer treatments,” said Prof. Knuth.
The Heart Hospital and NCCCR started the programme in 2015 with Dr Alexander Lyon, a leading British expert on cardio-oncology, serving as an advisor. Starting from this January a specialised weekly clinic has been set up with cardiologists, oncologists and specialised nurses dedicated to the heart health of patients undergoing cancer treatment as well as cancer survivors.
“Between 4,000 to 5,000 cancer patients are treated each year in HMC. Every patient who gets cancer treatments may potentially experience cardiotoxity. Survival from cancer has really increased and some of the side effects of cancer therapy are not immediate,” said Prof. William J. McKenna, Medical Director and CEO, Heart Hospital.
“This service will ensure the long term benefits to cancer patients and this also includes the best heart health,” he added. More than 100 oncologists, cardiologists and nurses gathered at the Ambulatory Care Centre Auditorium in Hamad Medical City during the First Qatar Cardio-Oncology Conference to have a clear understanding of the prevalence and risk of cardiovascular complications among cancer patients.
