“The objectives include developing new ways to test for cancer and find the best way to treat it,” Prof Dr K R Alexander Knuth, Medical Director & CEO, National Center for Cancer Care & Research (NCCCR) and chairman, Cancer Services, HMC, told Gulf Times.
“This is supported by translational research programmes which take clinical observations and specimens from the patient’s bedside to the laboratory bench and eventually back to the patient,” explained Prof Knuth.
“HMC’s aim is to develop an internationally competitive comprehensive cancer centre which will include the development of a cancer clinical trials unit allowing patients to get access to the latest treatments that are in development and offered within clinical trials,” Prof. Knuth noted.
“We, along with other academic organisations in the country, are building a sustainable academic infrastructure in cancer and life sciences to secure the development of forefront cancer treatments with clinical, teaching and research facilities meeting highest quality standards to deliver the best possible outcomes for our patients,” he continued.
According to Prof Knuth, screening services for different types of cancer will be expanded to include increased monitoring of those who are at risk of developing cancer due to hereditary causes and other diseases with links to cancer.
“We will be expanding on our existing infrastructure to develop dedicated medical cancer genetic counselling services. Screening for those at high risk of developing lung cancer will be considered by the Ministry of Public Health and the potential benefits of implementing a population based cervical cancer screening service will be assessed as well as a possible lowering of the age for breast screening.
“We will also provide extra monitoring for all individuals who have been identified as being at high risk of developing cancer, for those with a familial risk of developing breast or ovarian cancer. The high-risk breast and ovarian multidisciplinary cancer-screening clinic was established in March 2013 and it is the first clinic of its kind in the region.” he described.
The official maintained that identifying individuals at increased risk for hereditary cancer leads to early detection and prevention opportunities, with the ability to reduce both cancer incidence and mortality.
As for introducing new and more advanced types of treatment for cancer, the official said that HMC will continue to build on the success of the Cellular Therapy and Immunotherapy Programmes.
“Cytogenetics and Molecular Pathology/Genetics services at NCCCR will continue to develop state-of-the-art testing platforms for cancer patients to offer the advances of Precision Medicine in personalised concepts for diagnosis and treatment of cancer,” he added.
Prof Dr K R Alexander Knuth
Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC) is developing a cancer research programme to better understand cancer biology, a senior official has disclosed.
