QF Launches Qatar National Cancer Research Strategy

Doha, October 21 (QNA) - Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development (QF) on Sunday launched Qatar National Cancer Research Strategy during the Joint QF Annual Research Forum and Arab Expatriate Scientists Network Symposium 2012, which kicked off here today. The Chief of surgery and president of the Institute Innovation in Global Health at the University of Imperial College London and the Chairman of the National Cancer Committee Professor, Lord Ara Darzi gave a speech in which he said that this strategy was developed in the wake of the recommendation of the Qatar National Cancer Strategy, which was Launched by HH the Chairperson of QF Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, as the first of its kind in the State of Qatar. Prof. Darzi pointed to the necessity of developing the working cadre and building the capacities of the future leaders. Concluding his speech Prof. Darzi expressed his hope for Qatar to become a world leader in cancer research. National Cancer Strategy emphasizes the importance of developing a program of translatable cancer research with direct benefits on the patients. Consequently the National Cancer Research Strategy provides detail on how Qatar can translate high-quality research into clinical studies and practice, leading to improved cancer prevention and personalized cancer treatment, and become a leading cancer research center internationally and regionally, and build a foundation for academic and commercial development for the next generation of cancer-specific technologies. The Strategy recognizes several distinct areas where research can improve health for people of Qatar through behavioral change to reduce cancer risk, better prevention through intervention, screening and epidemiological studies, basic research providing insight into mechanisms that can be developed for improved diagnosis and cancer-specific molecular targets for novel therapies, earlier diagnosis, novel therapies and clinical trials, pharmacological and predictive biomarkers. The recommendations of the National Cancer Research Strategy focus on the areas of Faculty (people and training), prioritization, infrastructure, systems and next steps. (QNA)