Middle East Cancer Consortium

The Middle East Cancer Consortium (MECC) is a regional initiative for cancer research and treatment. Established in 1996, MECC members include the United States, Cyprus, Egypt, Israel, Jordan, the Palestinian Authority, and Turkey. MECC aims to reduce the incidence and impact of cancer in the Middle East region through the solicitation and support of collaborative research and regional education. Its motto is: "Respect all people, collaborate in fighting human suffering, and help build a bridge for better understanding among all."[1][2][3]

Official Logo of the Middle East Cancer Consortium

Leadership

The executive director of MECC is Michael Silbermann.

History

MECC was established through an official agreement of the ministries of health of its six member states in the Middle East.[4] It has launched and sustained academic-based medical programs that bring together scientists, academicians and clinical professionals from its member countries, joined by medical personnel from many other countries in the Middle East.[5]

Initially, MECC established a successful Middle Eastern Network of Cancer Registry Centers, involving medical professionals of the participating countries as part of a US National Cancer Institute initiative.[6] The project began with the establishment of a regional network of cancer registries documenting the incidence of various cancers and stage of disease at diagnosis. From the start, the work in the region was based on collaborative efforts, consisting of training courses, workshops, and educational conferences.[7][8]

Achievements

MECC's achievements include:

  • Establishing a baseline of information on palliative care services in its member countries, examining barriers to the delivery of palliative care that might exist, and promoting solutions.[9]
  • Initiating supplementary education and training in various formats, fellowships, and clinical exchanges, which have led to regional-scale palliative care projects.[10]
  • Initiation of palliative care programs in many Middle Eastern countries.[11][12]
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References
  1. Silbermann, Michael (2008). "The Middle East Cancer Consortium (MECC): A bridge to understanding between people". Bridges. 4: 4–7.
  2. Silbermann, M; Dweib, Khleif A; Balducci, L (2010). "Healing by cancer". J. Clin. Oncol. 28 (8): 1436–1437. doi:10.1200/JCO.2009.24.8161. PMID 19917857.
  3. Levin, A (June 3, 1998). "Middle East Cancer Consortium stays on track to collect data". J. Natl. Cancer Inst. 90 (11): 807–808. doi:10.1093/jnci/90.11.807. PMID 9625167.
  4. "Middle East Cancer Consortium (MECC)". National Cancer Institute at the National Institutes of Health. National Cancer Institute. Archived from the original on 4 April 2015. Retrieved 2 May 2015.
  5. "Middle East Cancer Consortium (MECC)". National Cancer Institute at the National Institutes of Health. National Cancer Institute. Archived from the original on 4 April 2015. Retrieved 2 May 2015.
  6. Freedman, LS; Edwards, BK; Ries, LAG; et al., eds. (2006). Cancer Incidence in Four Member Countries (Cyprus, Egypt, Israel, and Jordan) of the Middle East Cancer Consortium (MECC) Compared with US SEER (NIH Pub. No. 06-5873 ed.). Bethesda, MD: National Cancer Institut e.
  7. Silbermann, M; Freedman, L; Al-Kayed, S; Barchana, M; Najjar, K; Ibrahim, A; Salhab, AR; Young, JL; Roffers, S; Qasem, B; Harford, J (1999). "Cancer registration in the Middle East". J. Islamic Acad. Sci. 12 (2): 55–56.
  8. Silbermann, M (2003). "Perspectives for cancer epidemiology research in the Middle East". Rev. J. Gastrointestinal Oncol. 4 (2–3): 181–183. doi:10.1080/1475956021000020198.
  9. Bingley, Amanda; Clark, David, eds. (2008). Palliative care in the region represented by the Middle East Cancer Consortium a review and comparative analysis (NIH Publication No. 07-6230 ed.). Bethesda, MD: National Cancer Institute, U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health.
  10. Skinner, MA; Abdeen, Z; Abdeen, H; Aber, P; et, al. (2005). "Promoting Arab and Israeli cooperation: Peacebuilding through health initiatives". The Lancet. 365 (9466): 1274–1277. doi:10.1016/s0140-6736(05)74817-0. PMID 15811462.
  11. Silbermann, M; Arnaout, M; Daher, M; et, al. (2012). "Palliative cancer care in Middle Eastern countries: accomplishments and challenges". Ann Oncol. Suppl 3: 15–28. doi:10.1093/annonc/mds084. PMC 3493144. PMID 22628412.
  12. Balducci, L (May 23, 2009). "Cancer's common ground in Mideast". Tampa Bay Times. Retrieved 18 July 2015.
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