WCM-Q research highlights Qatar's excellence in cancer care, research

Researchers at Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar (WCM-Q) have conducted a comprehensive study of Qatar’s pioneering national cancer care and research strategy, highlighting the significant achievements in improving prevention, detection and treatment.The report, published in the UK medical journal Lancet Oncology, notes the remarkable success of Qatar’s investments in advanced clinical and research infrastructure, cutting-edge technologies, and recruitment of highly skilled healthcare professionals over the past two decades, which have transformed the country into a regional leader in cancer care.Areas of particular strength in Qatar’s system of cancer care - shaped by the National Cancer Strategy (2010) and the Qatar Cancer Plan (2023-26) - include special expertise in precision and personalised medicine, early detection, and robustly evidence-based cancer management following diagnosis, leading to improved survival rates.The research, titled ‘Qatar national cancer care and research: pioneering strategies for global health excellence,’ also highlights areas where some challenges still exist, including late-stage diagnosis, low health literacy relating to cancer among some demographic groups in Qatar, and data collection and long-term analysis.WCM-Q’s Dr Lotfi Chouchane, professor of genetic medicine and professor of microbiology and immunology, is the senior author of the paper.The report, and a subsequent paper also published in Lancet Oncology, additionally highlights the potential for establishing beneficial regional and global collaborations on cancer care and research, particularly with Saudi Arabia and Jordan.The subsequent paper, titled ‘Bridging borders for resilience in cancer control in the Middle East: a strategic alliance of Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Jordan’ also provides an epidemiological breakdown of patterns of cancer burden in the three countries.Dr Murugan Subramanian, senior research associate, is a co-first author of the paper, with Dr Chouchane serving as a co-senior author.Other researchers who contributed include Sheikh Dr Mohammed bin Hamad al-Thani, director of the Public Health Department at the Ministry of Public Health and associate professor of Clinical Healthcare Policy and Research at WCM-Q and Qatar University; Dr Salha Bujassoum, senior consultant at the National Centre for Cancer Care and Research; Dr Khalid Rashid al-Rumaihi, head of the Department of Urology at Hamad Medical Corporation; and Dr Hilal Lashuel, research development and innovation advisor to the chairperson of Qatar Foundation and executive director of RDI at the chairperson’s office.Dr Chouchane said: "This research shows very clearly that the past two decades have been a huge success story for Qatar in its efforts to establish a truly world-class cancer care and innovation infrastructure. Looking ahead, we identified some challenges to overcome in the areas of community health literacy; cultural sensitivities surrounding important cancer-prevention measures; language barriers; data collection, digitisation and long-term analysis; issues around healthcare equity; and the growing global challenge of unhealthy lifestyle choices, which can increase cancer risk.”The research also draws attention to Qatar’s efforts to prioritise the integration of cutting-edge precision and personalised medicine protocols into clinical practice - a measure which is already having a significant positive impact on survival rates.Research by Dr Chouchane’s lab at WCM-Q has been at the forefront of precision medicine approaches to cancer care.