Oncology conference opened in Ras al-Khaimah

More than 250 oncologists from across the UAE health facilities gathered in Ras al-Khaimah on Saturday to discuss the role of genes in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of cancer tumours.

H.H. Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Ras al-Khaimah, was the chief guest of the conference, which was organised by the Sheikh Khalifa Specialty Hospital in Ras al-Khaimah (SKSH-RAK).

In his welcome address, Dr. Myung-Whun Sung, CEO of SKSH-RAK, said the hospital's Oncology Centre and Oncology Department had received nearly 6,000 cancer patients since January 2016 of whom 800 had been admitted to in-patient wards while 320 surgeries had been conducted to remove different types of cancer tumours.

''Cancer, one of leading causes of death, poses a tremendous threat and challenge to human development in the world,'' he said.

SKSH-RAK provides comprehensive cancer services for both diagnosis and treatment. The Oncology Department provides services in diagnosis, staging of cancers as well as screening.