UAE: Expat beating cancer in time of Covid-19

Abu Dhabi - Specialists have had to face a host of challenges in treating cancer patients amid Covid.

By Saman Haziq

Published: Thu 4 Feb 2021, 12:12 AM

Emmaculate Njoki, 29, couldn’t contain her excitement last March, when she came to know that she is in the family way. However, she was unaware about the lurking danger behind her impending motherhood.

Njoki was diagnosed with molar pregnancy, a malignant strain that had spread to her lungs. Her pregnancy was a short-lived affair, and she underwent three cycles of chemotherapy.

Soon, she became free of cancer, and doctors told her that she could conceive a child after a year. On the occasion of World Cancer Day — being observed today — Njoki had nothing but gratitude for her oncologist Dr Arun Karanwal of Prime Hospital, Dubai, who provided all the support she needed.

“I was unaware of the underlying health condition had I not gone for my pregnancy test,” she said.

“Dr Karanwal handled my case admirably well. He helped me come to terms with reality by allaying my fears. He was a calming influence on me and prepared me to undergo chemotherapy,” she said.

Njoki’s experience encapsulated the importance of prevention, screenings and early detection in rising above cancer. The theme for this year’s World Cancer Day is ‘I Am and I Will’, which is centered on raising awareness about the disease.

Amid Covid-19, specialists have had to face a host of challenges in treating cancer patients.

“The treatment options were carefully selected because of the contagion. We have to defer chemotherapy or radiotherapy sessions because of the viral outbreak. Teleconsultation was instituted instead of face-to-face treatment. Patients were also panic-stricken of contracting Covid-19,” Dr Karanwal said.

The need of the hour, he said, would be to improve the cure rates of early stages of cancer.“Therapies are required for microscopic resistant cells.”

Dr Stephen R. Grobmyer, chairperson of Oncology Institute at Cleveland Clinic, Abu Dhabi, lauded the UAE’s efforts in creating awareness about various kinds of cancer prevalent in the country, such as breast, prostate, lung, bladder, cervical, leukaemia.

“Cancer has been a major focus for us. Our programme saw a 30 per cent increase in cancer patients last year. We took care of twice as many patients with breast cancer,” he said. A number of innovative treatments and diagnostic tools were also introduced.

Dr Grobmyer also cited an increase in hereditary cancer research. “Genetic counseling can help identify potential risk factors and mutations, allowing patients to make more informed health decisions. If a patient is diagnosed with a genetic mutation, there’s a 50 per cent chance their children may have it, too. That knowledge allows us to carry out cascade testing in blood relatives, which can help in prevention and improve their quality of life,” he said.

He said plans would be afoot to introduce gynaecological cancer and bone marrow transplant options. Robotic surgery programmes for cancer treatment would also be expanded, he added.

Dr Prasanta Kumar Dash, oncologist at Canadian Specialist Hospital, Dubai, held forth on cancer research and how it could save lives. “Research has helped us accumulate extensive knowledge about the biological processes involved in cancer. Those discoveries have led to more effective and targeted treatments and prevention strategies.”

saman@khaleejtimes.com