#Saudi Arabia #Riyadh #MENA #NCCN #Cancer Care

NCCN Hosts International Symposium in Riyadh

The National Comprehensive Cancer Network® (NCCN®), a prominent non-profit alliance of leading cancer centers worldwide, is currently taking part in a two-day international symposium in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. This meeting focuses on enhancing cancer care in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. The NCCN's Regional Coordination Center, inaugurated with the support of Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Health, is pivotal in adapting cancer treatment guidelines to meet the unique needs of the region.

Dr. Kanan Al Shammari, who heads the NCCN's Regional Coordination Center, emphasized the importance of integrating global cancer care standards with local expertise to ensure equitable and effective treatment outcomes. This effort is significant for a region where cancer incidence continues to rise.

During the symposium, experts from across the MENA region will present updated versions of the NCCN Guidelines, which serve as pivotal resources in oncology practice. These guidelines are rooted in evidence and consensus among experts, providing comprehensive recommendations for the prevention, detection, treatment, and support of cancer patients.

The updated MENA editions cover a range of critical topics, including:

• - Blood cancers
• - Breast cancer
• - Colon cancer
• - Liver cancer
• - Non-small cell lung cancer
• - Prostate cancer
• - Genetic risks for breast, ovarian, pancreatic, and prostate cancers
• - Palliative care

NCCN's commitment to these guidelines, which are tailored to local conditions, is crucial as they adapt best practices for the MENA region's specific circumstances. Every two years, the organization updates these guidelines to reflect the latest clinical insights, ensuring that healthcare providers have access to the most current information.

"This meeting is a vital opportunity to merge global oncology care standards with regional expertise, ultimately improving treatment outcomes for individuals in the MENA region," Dr. Al Shammari remarked. Crystal S. Denlinger, MD, CEO of NCCN, also spoke about the impact of NCCN in the region, highlighting the publication of over a dozen MENA-specific guidelines which account for approximately 65% of all adult cancer incidences in the area. This translates into over 2,000 pages of clinical content, further supporting the region's healthcare providers in delivering high-quality oncology care.

NCCN’s guidelines are visually designed to assist healthcare providers in understanding the best practices for treating cancer patients. The guidelines employ a color-coded text format; black text signifies current global recommendations, while italicized blue text indicates regional adaptations deemed feasible by local experts. Crossed-out gray text highlights approaches currently unfeasible. This user-friendly framework aids in effectively communicating treatment strategies to practitioners in diverse healthcare settings.

Furthermore, NCCN's global outreach includes translated guidelines available in over 50 different languages, making them accessible to healthcare providers and patients worldwide. The guidelines are also complemented by the NCCN Framework, which defines appropriate treatment regimens by resource availability—essential for regions with varying levels of healthcare infrastructure.

The NCCN also prioritizes patient education through its NCCN Guidelines for Patients®, which simplify clinical recommendations into understandable language, empowering patients and caregivers. These resources are freely available, with translations in several languages, including Arabic, thanks to the support of the NCCN Foundation.

As NCCN celebrates its 30-year legacy in advancing quality patient care, its ongoing initiatives underscore a commitment to creating equitable and effective cancer treatment frameworks. Through such meetings and collaborative efforts, NCCN not only reinforces its position as a leader in global oncology but also enhances the health outcomes for cancer patients in the MENA region.

For further details about the NCCN and its efforts to improve global cancer care, visit NCCN.org/global.