Ministry of Health launches the national scientific guide for early detection of lung cancer

The Ministry of Health and Community Protection, in cooperation with health authorities and AstraZeneca, launched the National Scientific Guide for Early Detection of Lung Cancer, with the aim of early detection and diagnosis of cancer in a way that ensures the quality of health care that is in line with the highest international scientific standards and evidence, to establish a preventive and proactive health system for a healthy society that enjoys a long life.

This came during a conference held in Dubai over two days, in the presence of the Assistant Undersecretary for the Public Health Sector at the Ministry of Health and Community Protection, Dr. Hussein Al-Rand, and representatives of the National Cancer Control Committee, which participated in preparing the guide and whose membership includes: the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi, the Abu Dhabi Center for Public Health, the Emirates Health Services Corporation, the Dubai Health Authority, in addition to Dubai Health, Sheikh Khalifa Specialist Hospital in Ras Al Khaimah, the Emirates Oncology Society, AstraZeneca, and an elite group of specialists in Respiratory diseases, diagnosis and treatment of cancer in the country.

Objectives of the guide

The guide establishes an integrated system that aims to define a clear definition of the cases most at risk of infection, eligibility criteria for screening, and data documentation requirements for the lung cancer screening program, in addition to ensuring that community members have access to safe, high-quality health care, with timely referral for diagnosis and treatment when necessary, reviewing the current situation of lung cancer in the country, and identifying opportunities for early detection, while providing recommendations based on scientific evidence to reduce infection and mortality rates.

Target groups

The guide is applied to all health service providers in primary health care centers and hospitals that provide early lung cancer detection services, and the screening focuses on the age group of 50-80 years, who meet the eligibility criteria for screening. The guide pointed out the importance of motivating target groups to undergo screening by visiting primary health care centers or smoking cessation clinics that are part of the National Tobacco Control Programme. Those wishing to undergo screening can also pre-register electronically through health platforms or the websites of institutions licensed to provide lung cancer screening.

Preventive health

Dr. Hussein Al-Rand stressed that the launch of the National Guide for Early Detection of Lung Cancer embodies the UAE’s commitment to preventive and proactive health approaches, and reflects the integration of national efforts in reducing chronic diseases and reducing cancer-related deaths, by unifying clinical standards and providing evidence-based scientific tools, to enable health care providers to make early diagnosis and improve treatment outcomes and quality of life, pointing out that confronting lung cancer requires enhancing community awareness of its seriousness, and intensifying efforts to reduce smoking and improve air quality in line with the goals of the “We Are the Emirates” vision. 2031” and the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals.

He added: The UAE attaches utmost importance to reducing chronic diseases associated with smoking, through national legislation and preventive health policies, the most prominent of which is implementing the selective tax on tobacco products and regulating the circulation of electronic nicotine products, which has contributed to the decline in tobacco use rates nationwide. The Ministry is also making efforts to continuously develop the integrated national early screening system, based on innovation and artificial intelligence, to ensure the health and well-being of all members of society, and to consolidate the UAE’s position as a leading model in health prevention regionally and globally.

Early diagnosis

For her part, Head of the Department of Noncommunicable Diseases and Mental Health at the Ministry of Health and Community Protection, Dr. Buthaina Bin Balila, confirmed that cancer is considered the third leading cause of death among noncommunicable diseases after cardiovascular diseases and accidents in the Emirates, where cancer caused 12.4% of total deaths in 2023, noting that despite the enormous burden posed by this disease, most of its cases are preventable through early detection, so this guide aims to enable healthcare providers to make early diagnosis. For lung cancer and rapid therapeutic intervention, which contributes to improving patient outcomes and reducing mortality rates.

The role of artificial intelligence

She added: Artificial intelligence will play a vital role in implementing the standards and procedures contained in this guide, as it contributes to analyzing images, accurately confirming the diagnosis with the radiologist, and improving the accuracy of measuring lung nodules, in addition to the importance of intelligent diagnosis systems (CAD) in reducing medical errors, which are a supportive tool for decision-making, which contributes to documenting important results and improving workflow in examination centers.