The Blood and Cancer Consultant and the Executive Director of the National Blood and Cancer Center, Dr. Ali al-Shinqyti, noted that at least one-third of cancer diseases can be prevented; attributing his point of view to the fact that many cancer diseases are linked to some factors that can be changed or whose incidence can be reduced. These factors include obesity, weight gain, excessive consumption of red meat, low consumption of leaf vegetables and fruits, failure to treat some diseases, such as the Hepatitis C virus, smoking, and use of drugs and alcohol.
As part of the health awareness efforts carried out by the Ministry of Health (MOH) to promote the health awareness among the community members of all groups and segments, and in continuation of the MOH educational activities and events all year around, the National Center for Media and Health Awareness has hosted Dr. Ali al-Shinqyti, the Blood and Cancer Consultant and the Executive Director of the National Blood and Cancer Center, via its toll free number: 8002494444, and the MOH account on Twitter: @SAUDIMOH; to answer the callers’ inquiries.
Dr. al-Shinqyti asserted that several ways can be used alone or in combination to treat cancer, calling them (Treatment Plan of Diseases). He added that this plan should include an integrated team of several disciplines (diagnostic, surgical, medical, ambulatory, nursing, food, etc.) to get the practical steps leading to success. This plan, according to Dr. al-Shinqyti, depends on three elements: the cancer type, the infections stage, and general health of the patient in terms of the physiological age (physical weakness and strength). The presence of other diseases, such as the heart, kidney, liver, pressure and diabetes, occupies a significant position when developing the treatment plan due to the remarkable role of each of them.
Within the same vein, Dr. al-Shinqyti highlighted that there are three methods, which can be used individually or collectively according to the treatment plan, to treat cancer. The surgical intervention is a method through which the tumor is removed by a surgery. This tumor can be eradicated in full or in part depending on its type and the surgeon's ability to remove it. The drug therapy is a means through which different types of drugs can be taken via the vein or mouth to treat the cancer. The chemotherapy and the targeted molecular therapy are amid the solutions to treat cancer but each of them has unique symptoms. The radiation therapy is the third method through which high doses of ionizing radiations are released towards the tumor in a bid to remove cancer cells. It is worth mentioning that the changes afflicting the patient vary according to the type of treatment used, and whether the physician would use a single method for treatment or more than one.
Furthermore, Dr. al-Shinqyti underlined that although the role played by the treating physician is crucial, but the efforts exerted by the medical team cannot be ignored. In fact, the efforts of each have a significant role in overcoming the psychological impact resulted from diagnosis and treatment plan. Al-Shinqyti highlighted also that the medical team should be aware that this malicious disease does not affect only the patient, but it affects everybody close to him, such as friends and family, either directly or indirectly. This effect on the surrounding individuals may cause a negative impact on the patient himself, unless the situation is properly handled.
Dr. al-Shinqyti was quoted as saying, “I am not sure that there are shortcomings in the psychosocial support programs provided for cancer patients,” adding that in order to develop a psychological support program, the Kingdom should first hire a working group that has an accredited plan and works according to internationally-approved policies and procedures.
In the same context, Dr. al-Shinqyti noted, “To the best of my belief, such working groups are not existent in the currently-established centers in the Kingdom despite of their important role in the comprehensive plan for the cancer patient treatment. Al-Shinqyti attributed this shortage to the treatment centers' interest in providing physical therapeutic services for patients; negatively affecting the psychological aspects of them.
Dr. al-Shinqyti was quoted as saying that although the Saudi society is somehow a religious community, but it lacks the psychosocial support programs. Al-Shinqyti expressed surprise that such support programs are applied in the oncology centers in non-religious states, such as the USA and in Europe.