Qatar yesterday marked World Cancer Day (WCD), observed on February 4 each year. People all over the world unite together on this day to minimise the global impact of cancer and World Health Organisation has declared ‘‘We Can - I Can’ as the theme for 2017 WCD.
On this occasion, the Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) has highlighted the importance of data in reducing the impact of cancer in Qatar. To access cancer data, in 2014, MoPH created the Qatar National Cancer Registry (QNCR). This is in addition to the previously established hospital cancer registry at Hamad Medical Corporation and both organisations work together closely. Following international standards, and using an online application, healthcare providers dealing with cancer patients from all over Qatar can report to the QNCR, both demographic and clinical data about cancer patients diagnosed and treated at their facilities. Effective cancer data and registration are crucial not only to the MoPH but helps Qatar contribute globally to the study of the disease. In May 2013, Brazil and Qatar were initiated as the two newest to the WHO International Agency Research in Cancer (IARC) participating states. This was a great honour for Qatar as it became the first participating state in IARC from the Gulf region. Qatar plays a leading role in helping IARC formulate research priorities and develop new collaborative efforts with other countries of the region. Qatar also works closely with all the cancer registries of the region.
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