CAIRO - Egypt has one of the highest rates of cancer of any country. Last Friday in Cairo, the Egyptian Cancer Association held a conference to highlight the latest research into different types of tumours. “Egypt is one of 12 world countries that have been selected for 70 tumour researchers to focus on,” said Professor Moustafa el-Serafi of the National Tumours Institute. “New therapies are being used to treat tumours. One of the new therapies attacks the cancerous cells without harming the surrounding, healthy cells.” Dr el-Serafi added that the targeted therapy is used in conjunction with chemical therapy and radiotherapy, depending on the type of the tumour and its location in the body. The conference included a session at which specialists focused on the latest therapies for colon tumours, the third commonest type of cancer. Dr el-Serafi noted that, before deciding on the most suitable therapy for colon cancer, the patient should undergo a 'KRAS' test. About 80 per cent of patients with colon cancer respond to the targeted therapy, said Dr el-Serafi, stressing that the KRAS test, available in Egypt, only costs LE100 (about $17). Meanwhile, Dr Yasser Abdel-Qader, Professor of Tumours at Qasr Al-Aini Hospital, said that cancer of the colon often responds to the targeted therapy, accompanied by chemical therapy, even at an advanced stage. He noted that colorectal cancer accounts for up to 12 per cent of the total cases of cancer in Egypt. For every three males who suffer from this cancer, only one female suffers from it, while 30 per cent of patients are under 45 years old, which means this is a problem that has a serious economic impact. “As for neck and head tumours that are usually discovered at an advanced stage, they are often to be blamed on environmental factors and the lifestyle of the patients, such as smoking and alcohol,” said Professor Tareq Shoman of the Tumours Institute. Exposure to harmful substances and ultraviolet light at work can also lead to neck or head tumours. Prof. Shoman stressed that chances of curing head and neck cancer by surgery are better, if the problem is diagnosed early, while chemical therapy, radiotherapy and targeted therapy can also help. Professor of Tumour Treatment at Cairo University Ebtisam Saad noted that the use of targeted therapy with radiotherapy can lead to remarkable improvements, increasing the life expectancy of patients. She too stressed the importance of early diagnosis, which can allow 95 per cent of patients to recover.
