Healthcare | Wednesday 25 March, 2015 11:05 am |

The cases of prostate cancer were recorded by region throughout the country

A total of 1739 cases were registered in the Saudi Cancer Registry over a seven-year period in KSA. The eastern region of Saudi Arabia had the highest overall age-standardised incidence rate (ASIR) at 10.1 per 100,000 men. The rate of prostate cancer in Riyadh was recorded at 7.1 and Makkah at 5.2, while Jizan and Najran had the lowest average ASIRs at 1.4 and 2.0. The SCR reported that over this period of time, the incidence of prostate cancer steadily increased. The survival rate of prostate cancer is high if diagnosed early; a full cure is possible if prostate cancer is detected early. Prostate cancer was recently the topic of discussion at an oncology summit held in the region.
Around one hundred internationally and regionally renowned oncologists and urologists from the Middle East and North Africa, in addition to international speakers from Europe & USA, are meeting in Dubai to discuss new treatment options and modalities available for adult men suffering from prostate cancer. The Oncology Summit has concluded this weekend at the JW Marriott Marquis and was hosted by Astellas Pharma Middle East, North and Sub-Saharan Africa (MENA/SSA), a leading research-driven global pharmaceutical company with a newly established presence in the region.
Dr. Shouki Bazarbashi, Associate professor of medicine at Alfaisal University and Head section of Medical Oncology at King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre Riyadh in Saudi Arabia said, “Presently, in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, we find that incidences of prostate cancer are underdiagnosed and many cases are diagnosed at a late stage. This may cause serious problems among men. Recent statistics indicate that there has been as many as 280 diagnosed cases of prostate cancer in KSA.”
Dr. Bazarbashi continued: “A simple blood test called PSA (prostate-specific antigen) may be beneficial after the age of 50 as an early detection screening for prostate cancer. It is a tumour marker for the prostate gland. Based on the result of the test, a urologist can decide on whether further investigation needed to detect the cancer if suspected. When detected early, treatment options are better and the chance of a full recovery is higher.”
“As a leading research-driven pharma company, we are committed to bringing innovative treatment options for this rapidly growing disease and to raise awareness on prostate cancer here in the region,” said Markus Weber, General Manager Astellas Pharma MENA/SSA.

Dr. Gerhardt Attard, Consultant Medical Oncologist, Institute of Cancer Research and the Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK, commented: “According to a recent study, a new class of androgen receptor signalling inhibitor reduced risk of death by 29 percent in men with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer and slowed or stopped cancer growth in 59 percent of patients, delaying the need for chemotherapy by 17 months during the study period.”

“This is a significant development in prostate cancer therapeutics that will provide an important new treatment option for patients with advanced prostate cancer following chemotherapy,” Dr. Attard continued.

The new androgen receptor signalling inhibitor is used to treat adult men with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC), which occurs when a patient is no longer responsive to hormone reducing treatment and the cancer continues to progress and spread to other parts of the body. In patients with this condition, and those who are not yet at the stage of requiring chemotherapy, androgen receptor signalling inhibitor may be beneficial in order to delay the need for chemotherapy further , and allow longer and better quality of life.


About Astellas MENA/SSA
Astellas MENA/SSA is an affiliate of Astellas Pharma Inc., a research-driven global pharmaceutical company with a simple vision – to produce safe and effective medicines that change tomorrow for patients in need. Astellas Pharma Inc. was founded in 2005 through the merger of Yamanouchi and Fujisawa in Tokyo, Japan. The merger combined nearly two centuries of heritage, innovation and collective experience in producing medicines, propelling this relatively young company to the forefront of the industry. Today, Astellas employs more than 18,000 people around the world and is a leader in the development of innovative new medicines.
Discovery and development of innovative medicines is the foundation of Astellas’ business. With over 2,800 scientists worldwide, Astellas produces a wealth of effective medicines, including a growing oncology drugs portfolio. The company is committed to supporting the welfare and health of people by making these treatments more widely available to the patients who need them.
Astellas MENA/SSA aims to make a positive difference to the patients in the Middle East & Africa region, which is a key territory for Astellas. The new regional affiliate in Dubai, United Arab Emirates brings together a team of highly skilled people, with local knowledge and long-standing professional experience in the region. The regional affiliate serves as a management hub to further expand and develop Astellas’ business activities across the MENA/SSA region.