The Oman Cancer Association (OCA) recently hosted a Continuing Medical Education (CME) program in Muscat. Dr. Wahid al Kharusi, President and Chairperson of OCA, presided over the event. This month's session, organized by OCA and Global Treatment Services in collaboration with MGM Hospitals Chennai, India, focused on "HSCT in Haematological Malignancies" with a special emphasis on haploidentical transplants, and included a brief discussion on HIPEC.
Dr. Deenadayalan M, a senior consultant and clinical lead in pediatric hematology, oncology, and bone marrow transplant, was a distinguished guest at the event. He shared insights on the current landscape and recent advancements in oncology. The keynote address was delivered by Dr. Salah al Jabri, head of the liver transplant committee at Royal Hospital, who spoke on "Hepatocellular Carcinoma: Where Are We Standing." Dr. Salah highlighted the significant improvement in survival rates among HCC patients who undergo liver transplantation. He emphasized that advanced liver disease indicators such as Child-Pugh score, CKD, and BCLC/TNM staging are predictive of poor clinical outcomes. Additionally, he affirmed that antiviral therapies for hepatitis patients can reduce the risk of mortality in individuals with HCC.
Dr Al Kharusi reiterated OCA's dedication to increasing awareness and advocating for individuals and families affected by cancer. "Our primary objective is to educate the community, provide support to cancer patients and their families, and furnish vital information to healthcare providers," he declared. Dr Al Kharusi stressed the significance of education as a fundamental tool in OCA's endeavors. "Our aim is to educate not only the general public and cancer patients but also their loved ones and healthcare professionals. It is imperative for healthcare professionals to possess a comprehensive understanding of the disease," he stated.
Furthermore, OCA places great importance on empowerment, particularly for women. Dr Al Kharusi elaborated, "Women are the foundation of our society and it is crucial to protect and empower them. When women are well-informed and receive support, the chances of early cancer detection significantly increase. Early diagnosis, especially at stage one, enables effective treatment and enhances the likelihood of recovery."
