Latest news with #BurjeelCancerInstitute
Khaleej Times
23-05-2025
- Health
- Khaleej Times
A silent disease: Prostate cancer among the 5 most common cancers in UAE, doctors warn
Prostate cancer is among the five most common cancers affecting men in the UAE, yet doctors say many men still avoid check-ups due to fear, stigma, or simply neglecting their health. According to Dr Mohamad Azzam Ziade, a medical oncologist at Medcare Royal Speciality Hospital in Al Qusais, prostate cancer is strongly linked to ageing and is expected to become more prevalent in the UAE as the population grows older. 'Globally, around 95 per cent of prostate cancer patients are over the age of 50. In the UAE too, it is one of the top five cancers among men,' he said. Prof Humaid Al Shamsi, CEO of Burjeel Cancer Institute and President of the Emirates Oncology Society, said that it is one of the most common cancers in Emirati men over the age of 50. 'Yet, early detection rates remain low, especially compared to Western countries,' said Prof Al Shamsi. Why are men not getting screened? Doctors point to a mix of factors as to why men don't get screened. 'It is because of lack of awareness, cultural taboos around male health, fear of being diagnosed, and the belief that medical visits can be postponed,' said Prof Al Shamsi. Dr Ziade said that men are often too busy with work and under stress, so they don't pay attention to their health. 'Men's health is often ignored,' said Dr Ziade. Oncologists said that many patients come for help only after symptoms have developed often when the disease is already in an advanced stage. 'There's still a stigma around male health issues and urogenital exams,' said Prof Al Shamsi. He also stressed that even doctors sometimes miss the importance of encouraging routine screening, which adds to the problem. Is the exam painful? One of the main reasons men delay or avoid screening is the fear of the prostate exam being painful. But doctors say that concern is mostly unfounded. 'You may feel pressure or discomfort, but it should not hurt,' said Dr Ziade. 'The process takes only a few minutes.' Prof Al Shamsi added that the initial screening is usually just a simple blood test called PSA (Prostate-Specific Antigen), which measures PSA levels in the blood. In some cases, it may be followed by a digital rectal exam (DRE), which also lasts less than a minute and is not painful, though it can be slightly uncomfortable. He advised that men should begin discussing screening with their doctor at age 50, or earlier at 45 if they have a family history or higher risk factors. If PSA levels are normal, the test can be repeated every one to two years. Symptoms to watch out for Prostate cancer is often called a silent disease because it usually shows no symptoms in its early stages. 'When symptoms appear, they may include frequent urination, especially at night, blood in the urine or semen, erectile dysfunction, bone pain, or even bowel issues,' said Dr Ziade. Prof Al Shamsi added that a weak urine stream or difficulty urinating are also warning signs, along with pain in the hips, back, or pelvis if the cancer has spread. A warning and a hope Doctors shared patient stories that highlight the importance of early screening. Dr Ziade is currently treating a 77-year-old man who was diagnosed with prostate cancer that had spread to his bones. Thanks to continuous androgen deprivation therapy, his condition is now stable and in remission, with no active signs of cancer. However, he also has Parkinson's disease, which slightly affects his daily life. In another case, Prof Al Shamsi described a 56-year-old Emirati man who had no symptoms but decided to go for a routine health check-up. A slightly elevated PSA level led to further tests, and localised prostate cancer was detected early. He underwent robotic surgery and has since returned to full health, with no recurrence. 'Unfortunately, not all stories end like this,' said Prof Al Shamsi. 'We also see men coming in with severe bone pain, only to discover that the cancer has already spread. These cases require lifelong treatment.' Doctors are urging men to take control of their health, start screening early, speak up about concerns, and don't wait until symptoms appear. 'Early detection can save lives. We have the tools. What we need is awareness and action,' said Prof Al Shamsi.
Arabian Business
12-05-2025
- Health
- Arabian Business
Cholesterol drugs linked to 61% lower death risk in blood cancer, study shows
A groundbreaking study led by researchers from the University of Sharjah and the Burjeel Cancer Institute , in collaboration with prestigious international partners, has uncovered promising new evidence that statin medications – commonly prescribed to lower cholesterol – may significantly improve survival rates in patients with certain types of blood cancer. The study revealed that patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) and small lymphocytic lymphoma (SLL) who were taking statins at the start of modern targeted therapy such as ibrutinib were 61 per cent less likely to die from cancer, 38 per cent less likely to die from any cause, and 26 per cent less likely to experience disease progression. Statins boost cancer survival Notably, statin use was not associated with an increased risk of severe side effects, supporting its safety profile in this context. The study, led by Dr. Ahmad Abuhelwa, Assistant Professor of Pharmacy Practice and Therapeutics at the University of Sharjah, brought together expertise from Burjeel Cancer Institute (UAE), Harvard University, Moffitt Cancer Center (USA), and Flinders University (Australia). Dr. Abuhelwa, the study's lead author, said this is the first systematic evaluation of the link between statin use and survival outcomes in patients with CLL or SLL receiving modern targeted therapies. 'Our study analysed data from 1,467 patients enrolled in four international clinical trials conducted between 2012 and 2019. 'The results highlight a strong association between statin use and improved survival, opening the door for future research that could ultimately benefit patients around the world,' he said. Dr. Abuhelwa, however, cautioned: 'While these results are highly encouraging, we cannot recommend statins as a cancer treatment based on this study alone, as it is observational and does not establish causality.' 'We need future clinical trials to confirm whether statins can be used as a supportive treatment in this setting,' he said. Prof. Humaid Al Shamsi, CEO of the Burjeel Cancer Institute and co-author of the study, said as oncologists, they are always looking for safe and effective ways to improve patient survival. 'This study raises an exciting possibility – that a well-known and widely used medication like statins could enhance treatment outcomes without introducing additional risks,' he said. Dr. Karem Alzoubi, Dean of the College of Pharmacy at the University of Sharjah, said this outstanding research reflects their faculty's dedication to producing impactful scientific studies that address pressing healthcare challenges and contribute to innovative solutions for complex diseases like cancer. The findings of the study, which was published in the prestigious medical journal Blood Advances, have captured the attention of leading global media outlets, including The Telegraph, Daily Mail, The Independent, Associated Press, and Medscape. The findings have also been translated into several languages, including Spanish, Polish, Bulgarian, and Japanese, reflecting their broad international reach and impact.
Zawya
12-05-2025
- Health
- Zawya
Cholesterol-lowering drugs show promise in blood cancer survival, study finds
SHARJAH: A groundbreaking study led by researchers from the University of Sharjah and the Burjeel Cancer Institute, in collaboration with prestigious international partners, has uncovered promising new evidence that statin medications—commonly prescribed to lower cholesterol—may significantly improve survival rates in patients with certain types of blood cancer. The study, led by Dr. Ahmad Abuhelwa, Assistant Professor of Pharmacy Practice and Therapeutics at the University of Sharjah, brought together expertise from Burjeel Cancer Institute (UAE), Harvard University, Moffitt Cancer Center (USA), and Flinders University (Australia). The study revealed that patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) and small lymphocytic lymphoma (SLL) who were taking statins at the start of modern targeted therapy (such as ibrutinib) were 61 percent less likely to die from cancer, 38 percent less likely to die from any cause, and 26 percent less likely to experience disease progression. Notably, statin use was not associated with an increased risk of severe side effects, supporting its safety profile in this context. Dr. Karem Alzoubi, Dean of the College of Pharmacy at the University of Sharjah, commented, 'This outstanding research reflects our faculty's dedication to producing impactful scientific studies that address pressing healthcare challenges and contribute to innovative solutions for complex diseases like cancer.' He added, 'The University of Sharjah places the highest importance on supporting scientific research, offering advanced infrastructure and state-of-the-art laboratories that enable our researchers to conduct world-class studies. The university also actively fosters collaboration with leading research institutions around the world, which helps promote knowledge exchange and elevate the quality of research outputs.' Dr. Ahmad Abuhelwa, the study's lead author, explained, 'This is the first systematic evaluation of the link between statin use and survival outcomes in patients with CLL or SLL receiving modern targeted therapies. Our study analyzed data from 1,467 patients enrolled in four international clinical trials conducted between 2012 and 2019. The results highlight a strong association between statin use and improved survival, opening the door for future research that could ultimately benefit patients around the world.' However, Dr. Abuhelwa cautioned, 'While these results are highly encouraging, we cannot recommend statins as a cancer treatment based on this study alone, as it is observational and does not establish causality. We need future clinical trials to confirm whether statins can be used as a supportive treatment in this setting'. Prof. Humaid Al Shamsi, CEO of the Burjeel Cancer Institute and co-author of the study, commented, 'As oncologists, we are always looking for safe and effective ways to improve patient survival. This study raises an exciting possibility—that a well-known and widely used medication like statins could enhance treatment outcomes without introducing additional risks.' The findings of the study, which was published in the prestigious medical journal Blood Advances, have captured the attention of leading global media outlets, including The Telegraph, Daily Mail, The Independent, Associated Press, and Medscape. The findings have also been translated into several languages, including Spanish, Polish, Bulgarian, and Japanese, reflecting their broad international reach and impact.
Sharjah 24
11-05-2025
- Health
- Sharjah 24
Breakthrough study from UOS, BCI attracts global attention
The study, led by Dr Ahmad Abuhelwa, Assistant Professor of Pharmacy Practice and Therapeutics at the University of Sharjah, brought together expertise from Burjeel Cancer Institute (UAE), Harvard University, Moffitt Cancer Center (USA), and Flinders University (Australia). Study The study revealed that patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) and small lymphocytic lymphoma (SLL) who were taking statins at the start of modern targeted therapy (such as ibrutinib) were 61% less likely to die from cancer, 38% less likely to die from any cause, and 26% less likely to experience disease progression. Notably, statin use was not associated with an increased risk of severe side effects, supporting its safety profile in this context. Dr. Karem Alzoubi, Dean of the College of Pharmacy at the University of Sharjah, commented: 'This outstanding research reflects our faculty's dedication to producing impactful scientific studies that address pressing healthcare challenges and contribute to innovative solutions for complex diseases like cancer.' He added: 'The University of Sharjah places the highest importance on supporting scientific research, offering advanced infrastructure and state-of-the-art laboratories that enable our researchers to conduct world-class studies. The university also actively fosters collaboration with leading research institutions around the world, which helps promote knowledge exchange and elevate the quality of research outputs.' Dr. Ahmad Abuhelwa, the study's lead author, explained, 'This is the first systematic evaluation of the link between statin use and survival outcomes in patients with CLL or SLL receiving modern targeted therapies. Our study analyzed data from 1,467 patients enrolled in four international clinical trials conducted between 2012 and 2019. The results highlight a strong association between statin use and improved survival, opening the door for future research that could ultimately benefit patients around the world.' Dr Abuhelwa cautioned, however: 'While these results are highly encouraging, we cannot recommend statins as a cancer treatment based on this study alone, as it is observational and does not establish causality. We need future clinical trials to confirm whether statins can be used as a supportive treatment in this setting'. Prof. Humaid Al Shamsi, CEO of the Burjeel Cancer Institute and co-author of the study, commented, 'As oncologists, we are always looking for safe and effective ways to improve patient survival. This study raises an exciting possibility—that a well-known and widely used medication like statins could enhance treatment outcomes without introducing additional risks.' Findings The findings of the study, which was published in the prestigious medical journal Blood Advances, have captured the attention of leading global media outlets, including The Telegraph, Daily Mail, The Independent, Associated Press, and Medscape. The findings have also been translated into several languages, including Spanish, Polish, Bulgarian, and Japanese, reflecting their broad international reach and impact.
Yahoo
22-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Burjeel Cancer Institute launches new facility for breast health
UAE-based Burjeel Cancer Institute (BCI), the oncology arm of Burjeel Holdings, has announced the opening of a new multidisciplinary care facility for breast health. The Burjeel Breast Center is poised to become a one-stop destination for women with both malignant and benign breast conditions, providing a spectrum of services from screening to treatment. Situated within Burjeel Medical City, it is designed to offer same-day appointments and diagnoses during the initial consultation. It has a women-led medical team and a special unit dedicated to breast reconstruction for surgical cases. Technology is a cornerstone of the facility, with the HOLOGIC 3Dimensions Mammography System leading the charge for early and precise detection of breast abnormalities. The integration of AI-driven breast radiology systems further enhances the diagnostic process by aiding radiologists in interpreting ultrasounds, mammograms and MRIs, thereby minimising the likelihood of incorrect diagnoses. Burjeel Cancer Institute CEO Humaid Al Shamsi said: 'The Burjeel Breast Center reimagines the breast care journey by offering an empathetic, data-driven, and efficient clinical environment. 'By removing barriers to early detection such as long wait times and the need for prior appointments, we are empowering women to take charge of their health. Early intervention is key, and our walk-in model ensures no time is lost.' Another aspect of the facility is the introduction of the Survivorship Lounge, an initiative aimed at supporting breast cancer survivors. The space focuses on life post-treatment, offering resources and support to empower survivors. Burjeel Holdings Group CEO John Sunil said: 'The launch of Burjeel Breast Center reflects our commitment to raising the standard of women's healthcare in the region.' In addition to the centre, Burjeel Cancer Institute is set to launch the Burjeel Cancer Institute Pharmacy. In February 2025, Burjeel Holdings acquired an 80% stake in Advanced Care Oncology Center, with plans to establish a radiation oncology network across the Gulf Cooperation Council region. "Burjeel Cancer Institute launches new facility for breast health" was originally created and published by Hospital Management, a GlobalData owned brand. The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site.
