Nutrition and Its Link to Cancer

Tag Archives: Cancer

“Food is the main cause in 30% of cancer incidences of different types” according to Dr. Sherif

Abouelnaga, Egypt Cancer Network’s Board member and Vice President of the Children’s Cancer Hospital Egypt 57357. According to Dr. Abouelnaga, this is mainly due to the pollution caused by pesticides. He pinpointed also to other factors such as malnutrition in children. During his inaugural speech at the first conference on therapeutic nutrition in Egypt on September 24th, 2011, Dr. Abouelnaga added that the hospital will soon launch an advertising campaign to spread awareness with respect to healthy nutrition for children. Dr. Hussein Mansour, President of the Safe Food Organization says 29% of Egyptian children under the age of five suffer from dwarfism and 7% are underweight due to malnutrition. The Safe Food Organization, under the jurisdiction of the Prime Minister, will support legislation for the regulation and supervision of all food production to ensure consumer safety.

Children’s Cancer Hospital of Egypt 57357 should be proud of their many firsts. They have led Egypt in a number of important clinical and technological areas. The hospital can now add to their growing list of accomplishments the1st conference in Egypt on therapeutic nutrition, which promoted healthy nutrition for cancer patients as well as ways to ensure safe diets for the prevention of diseases. The conference organizer, Clinical Nutritionist Association, presented six pivotal themes: therapeutic nutrition, general nutrition, microbiology in food products, environmental safety to ensure safe and healthy food, technology and nutrition. Next steps include an Arabic and English internet site with services and information for researchers in the nutrition field. Conference sponsors included: International Life Sciences Institute, BiotechCity, Quest Advanced Systems and technology House, Egyptian council for Therapeutical Nutrition and Nestle. A number of experts in the field, professors from Cairo, Ain Shams, Menoufia, and Helwan Universities, and members of the National Nutrition Institute all participated in the conference.

Other firsts for the hospital include:

  • 1st specialized department of psychosocial oncology in Egypt
  • 1st child life and school program in Egypt for hospitalized children
  • 1st comprehensive physiotherapy department for oncology patients in Egypt
  • 1st PET/CT scan in Egypt and cyclotron
  • 1st fully digitized hospital in Egypt, including Medical Records (better than 95% of U.S. hospitals)
  • 1st research department in Egypt with an Internal Review Board, Scientific Medical Advisory Committee, Central Research and Protocol M
  • onitoring Office as well as 20 healthcare professionals who have developed into a new role of Clinical Research Associate
  • 1st in Egypt to offer intensive continuing education program for staff

Time and again, in the desire to transform and improve their communities, the youth in Egypt are reaching out to the icons of change for support and expertise. Nearly 250 members of the newly instituted “Academic Group” of Kasr Eil Aini Medical School were welcomed at Children’s Cancer Hospital of Egypt (CCHE) 57357 for a week of intensive training on topics ranging from pediatric oncology and research to Fundraising. This academic group was formed in the aftermath of the revolution as a reformation initiative for the medical training. Kasr Eil Aini strives to improve overall research and clinical skills by bridging the gap between students and professors.

The program at CCHE 57357 was more than a series of lectures. It was an opportunity to be acquainted with a new kind of healthcare system in Egypt. The hospital employs experiential learning as a way to engage future leaders. For example, half of the students attending the research workshop will continue to work closely with the hospital staff to develop research papers, which will be vetted by Harvard visiting scholars.

Here’s what the students had to say about this unique experience:

“Being within the walls of this great hospital serves as a reminder to never lose faith. Egyptians are capable of great accomplishments once they set their minds on achieving them. Everything is possible. One just has to seek the right opportunities or create them. Being here expanded not only my clinical interests, but also my understanding of the pursuit of excellence in quality care for all, and compassion by all.” — Heba Mahmoud (6th year medical student)

“I am impressed by CCHE 57357’s vision, benchmarking of standards, and continuous process improvement. I’m excited to be part of this team, which has taken my learning experience to new levels.” — Alaa Obeida (5th year medical student)

CCHE 57357’s approach with Kasr Eil Aini medical students is typical of their holistic approach to education and training. They are the first hospital in Egypt to offer a school program for their patients, an Internal Review Board for their researchers, full time employment for their physicians, free continuing education for their staff, and health & wellness campaigns for the public.

Way to go CCHE 57357. You rock!