Thursday 06 / November / 2025
Muscat: The World Cancer Congress, Summit, and accompanying exhibition for 2025 concluded today in Muscat with the adoption of the “Sultanate of Oman Declaration.” The declaration calls on relevant stakeholders including governments, healthcare institutions, academic centers, civil society, and international partners to endorse and implement its recommendations within national cancer control strategies.
The declaration also advocates for the establishment of a regional monitoring mechanism under a specialized task force, the allocation of long-term sustainable funding for prevention, research, and workforce development, and the creation of a future rooted in local innovation, equitable care access, and a commitment to leaving no patient behind. It further emphasizes the importance of follow-up conferences for collective review and evaluation.
This declaration represents a model for regional cooperation based on equity, empowerment, and sustainable cancer control, driven by a vision centered on justice and self-reliance in prevention, treatment, and scientific research.
It highlights that cancer is now the leading cause of death globally, responsible for nearly 10 million deaths annually—more than the combined fatalities from HIV/AIDS, malaria, and tuberculosis. According to the World Health Organization and the GLOBOCAN network, global cancer incidence is expected to rise by 77% by 2050, placing immense pressure on healthcare systems, economies, and societies.
The declaration notes that the Oman Cancer Association, in collaboration with both public and private sectors, recognizes—through over 25 years of experience—the challenges faced by low- and middle-income countries in cancer prevention and control. It calls for gradual, transformative change supported by regional cooperation to achieve justice, empowerment, and self-reliance.
It further states that over 35 million new cancer cases are projected by 2050, marking a 77% increase from 2022, with the sharpest rise expected in countries with low and medium Human Development Index scores. Tobacco, alcohol, obesity, and air pollution are identified as major risk factors.
Regionally, the declaration points out that Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries and those in the Eastern Mediterranean region are witnessing a steady increase in cancer rates due to urbanization and modern lifestyle patterns. Younger age groups are being diagnosed, with higher proportions of cases detected at advanced stages, alongside disparities in infrastructure, workforce shortages, and reliance on external supply chains.
The declaration also addressed the lived experience of cancer patients in the region, framing it as a multifaceted crisis—medical, social, economic, and psychological. It highlighted disparities in access to care and funding, the high cost of treatment due to reliance on imported medications and diagnostics, fragmented procurement systems, and insufficient investment in prevention and early detection, despite their cost-effectiveness.
It urged regional governments to take immediate action to reduce social and economic barriers to care, expand prevention and screening programs, foster a culture of survivorship, and invest in self-reliant systems, research, and innovation. Progress, it emphasized, requires collective will from all stakeholders.
The declaration outlined three core principles:
- Equity in access to care, regardless of nationality or socioeconomic status
- Addressing social determinants of health, including education, income, occupation, and transportation
- Empowerment and survivorship, placing patients and survivors at the heart of policy, psychosocial support, and employment protection
It also laid out seven strategic pillars:
1. Prevention and early detection through national awareness campaigns, population screening, and health education
2. Integrated cancer care continuum ensuring equitable access to diagnosis, treatment, and palliative care
3. Human resource development via specialized education pathways, incentives, and regional training programs
4. Health system strengthening by integrating cancer indicators into national registries and localizing drug manufacturing
5. Research and innovation with sustainable research budgets and investment in genomics and precision medicine
6. Self-reliance through national capacity-building in drug production, diagnostics, and genomic centers
7. Governance and multisectoral collaboration involving governments, civil society, survivors, and religious, educational, and environmental institutions in awareness and planning efforts
The declaration concluded with a call to all parties to jointly implement these recommendations within national plans, establish a regional monitoring mechanism, allocate long-term sustainable funding, and build a future driven by local innovation and equitable care. It affirmed that the “Sultanate of Oman Declaration” embodies a comprehensive regional vision for justice, empowerment, and self-reliance in cancer control.
On the fourth and final day of the Congress, specialized scientific sessions continued, focusing on the latest developments in oncology, hematology, and palliative care, with participation from leading physicians, experts, and researchers.
Topics ranged from innovations in stem cell transplantation and the use of immunotherapy and artificial intelligence in cancer treatment, to the critical role of nursing and palliative care in improving quality of life and supporting patients and their families.
The first session explored recent advances in hematologic cancer treatment, including improved donor selection for hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, conditioning regimen innovations balancing efficacy and toxicity, CAR-T cell therapy applications, and strategies for managing relapsed multiple myeloma. The importance of continuity in nursing care was emphasized.
Dr. Ibrahim Al-Nabhani and Dr. Mona Al-Tarshi presented new insights into treatment standards for acute leukemia and the development of therapeutic models to improve patient outcomes, particularly through enhanced bone marrow transplant techniques.
The second session addressed key developments in oncology, including bone cancer research, proton therapy, the role of conjugated antibodies in breast cancer treatment, and AI applications in clinical decision-making.
Speakers highlighted the transformative role of modern technology in cancer prevention and diagnostic accuracy, as well as its contribution to effective palliative care. They stressed the importance of integrating AI in cancer screening and reshaping patient care through digital scanners and advanced technologies.
The third session focused on palliative care, presenting an in-depth study of the Oman Cancer Association’s program and its impact across the Middle East and North Africa. Discussions centered on the role of nursing professionals in alleviating patient and family suffering, with emphasis on core principles of self-care in oncology nursing and home-based patient support.
The session underscored the importance of supporting family caregivers and measuring palliative care quality as a tool for improving health services. It concluded by reaffirming that palliative care is a cornerstone of enhancing cancer patients’ quality of life, and that coordination between nursing teams and medical staff is essential.
Participants expressed optimism about the future of medical and research advancements in this field, emphasizing the need for strengthened collaboration among experts and health institutions to keep pace with emerging developments and deliver the best outcomes for patients.
The four-day Congress, held at the Oman Convention and Exhibition Centre, aimed to unify global efforts in cancer control by exploring cutting-edge innovations in healthcare, promoting prevention, and supporting scientific research to build a sustainable collaborative framework for a safer world against this global health challenge.
The program featured vital topics such as healthcare innovation, public cancer control policies, community awareness, and scientific panels, alongside an exhibition showcasing the latest technologies in pharmaceuticals, medical devices, and digital solutions.
Representatives from over 40 countries participated, reflecting growing global interest in cancer control and public health, and underscoring the importance of international cooperation and knowledge exchange among health and research institutions to develop effective prevention and treatment strategies and improve quality of life for patients and communities alike.
The event was organized with the support of the Government of the Sultanate of Oman and active participation from several ministries and institutions, including the Ministry of Health, Ministry of Social Development, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Heritage and Tourism, and the Oman Medical Specialty Board.
The Congress brought together a distinguished group of international experts in oncology, diagnostics, and palliative care, as well as specialists in artificial intelligence and precision medicine, with topics covering immunotherapies, personalized vaccines, and advanced cellular treatments.
The hosting of this global event coincided with the 25th anniversary of the Oman Cancer Association, reaffirming its pioneering role in raising community awareness, supporting national and international efforts in prevention, treatment, and palliative care.
The Congress served as a platform to elevate Oman’s position as a leading regional hub for collaborative health action and to reinforce its commitment to public health and sustainable development in the field of cancer control.
