Full medical disclosure is the best way to help patients deal with a potentially devastating cancer diagnosis, doctors have said.
Reacting to a recent study that claimed patients often panicked when told they had cancer, UAE doctors said wording can drastically change a patient's perception of their condition.
Researchers at the University of Sydney and the Mayo Clinic in the United States have said the term cancer should not be used for some low grade lesions, and malignant growths less than 1 centimetres in size.
Doctors in the UAE have said they rarely use the word cancer when describing such conditions, but said medics must be up front when it comes to a diagnosis.
“I’m very careful using the word ‘cancer’ especially during the patient’s first visit,” said Dr Ramzi Alshaiba, a specialist in general surgery at Bareen International Hospital in MBZ City, Abu Dhabi.
“I discuss the case with the patient by explaining how the condition, such as a lesion, should be investigated fully to prove whether or not it is a malignant cancer.
“To encourage the patient to move further with the medical investigation, I remind them an excellent cure rate is linked with early detection and treatment.”
Although a pre-cancerous condition is an alerting sign which may or may not progress, UAE doctors said patients should be informed about the medical situation in the clearest and earliest way possible, and that the condition is not yet cancer.
Doctors said, due to low awareness on modern survival rates, many patients immediately start crying, assuming they are terminally ill.
“In every step of the journey, full medical disclosure with the patient is very important,” said Dr Alshaiba.
“We have seen many patients change their mindset, behaviour and lifestyle towards the less positive approach — and this affects not only the individual but the family and people around them.
“Doctor-patient relationship plays a significant role in managing this scenario.
“Factors such as trust, experience and communication from the doctor really matter.”
_________________
Read more:
Rethinking the word 'cancer': Study calls for low risk forms of the disease to be renamed
Patients offered unnecessary surgery by non-specialised surgeons, say Abu Dhabi doctors
New cancer research centre to launch in Dubai
_________________
The research, published in the British Medical Journal, cited supporting evidence that disease labels can affect a patient’s psychological response, as well as their decision over treatment options.
The study found patients often had a strong perception that aggressive treatments were required to beat cancer, when sometimes less invasive approaches could be more suitable.
Patients suffering from low risk forms of the disease would benefit from a strategy where the cancer label was removed and with it the fear that it could spread, researchers said.
Dr Basim Alkhafaji, a consultant laparoscopic surgeon at Canadian Specialist Hospital, Dubai, said Middle East patients were more likely to associate cancer with a likely premature death.
“Depending on the psychological background of the patient, sometimes for a small cancer we don’t exactly use the word 'cancer',” he said.
“The patient might understand they have cancer, but there is no need to tell them directly.
“They are often so scared of the word.
“We inform them they are suffering from a treatable disease, especially if it’s a papillary cancer or small breast lesion.”
According to the Department of Health, about 4,500 new cancer cases are reported every year in the UAE.
As part of the UAE National Agenda, the Department of Health aims to reduce related deaths by 18 per cent by 2021.
Leukaemia is the most common cancer in men in the UAE, followed by colorectal and prostate cancer.
In women, breast cancer is the most common, followed by leukaemia and colorectal.
“I personally inform the patient that cells in their body have changed which can be attributed to a bad disease, rather than say they have cancer,” said Dr Alkhafaji.
“Cancer is a disease that's associated with mortality. We have to be careful in dealing with a patient's expectations.
“Regardless of the size of the cancer we always discuss the risk, and possibilities.”
UPI facts
More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions
Red flags
- Promises of high, fixed or 'guaranteed' returns.
- Unregulated structured products or complex investments often used to bypass traditional safeguards.
- Lack of clear information, vague language, no access to audited financials.
- Overseas companies targeting investors in other jurisdictions - this can make legal recovery difficult.
- Hard-selling tactics - creating urgency, offering 'exclusive' deals.
Courtesy: Carol Glynn, founder of Conscious Finance Coaching
List of officials:
Referees: Chris Broad, David Boon, Jeff Crowe, Andy Pycroft, Ranjan Madugalle and Richie Richardson.
Umpires: Aleem Dar, Kumara Dharmasena, Marais Erasmus, Chris Gaffaney, Ian Gould, Richard Illingworth, Richard Kettleborough, Nigel Llong, Bruce Oxenford, Ruchira Palliyaguruge, Sundaram Ravi, Paul Reiffel, Rod Tucker, Michael Gough, Joel Wilson and Paul Wilson.
Why are asylum seekers being housed in hotels?
The number of asylum applications in the UK has reached a new record high, driven by those illegally entering the country in small boats crossing the English Channel.
A total of 111,084 people applied for asylum in the UK in the year to June 2025, the highest number for any 12-month period since current records began in 2001.
Asylum seekers and their families can be housed in temporary accommodation while their claim is assessed.
The Home Office provides the accommodation, meaning asylum seekers cannot choose where they live.
When there is not enough housing, the Home Office can move people to hotels or large sites like former military bases.
Company%20profile
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECompany%20name%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Fasset%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarted%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E2019%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFounders%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Mohammad%20Raafi%20Hossain%2C%20Daniel%20Ahmed%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Dubai%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ESector%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EFinTech%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInitial%20investment%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20%242.45%20million%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ECurrent%20number%20of%20staff%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%2086%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestment%20stage%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Pre-series%20B%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestors%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Investcorp%2C%20Liberty%20City%20Ventures%2C%20Fatima%20Gobi%20Ventures%2C%20Primal%20Capital%2C%20Wealthwell%20Ventures%2C%20FHS%20Capital%2C%20VN2%20Capital%2C%20local%20family%20offices%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
What the law says
Micro-retirement is not a recognised concept or employment status under Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations (as amended) (UAE Labour Law). As such, it reflects a voluntary work-life balance practice, rather than a recognised legal employment category, according to Dilini Loku, senior associate for law firm Gateley Middle East.
“Some companies may offer formal sabbatical policies or career break programmes; however, beyond such arrangements, there is no automatic right or statutory entitlement to extended breaks,” she explains.
“Any leave taken beyond statutory entitlements, such as annual leave, is typically regarded as unpaid leave in accordance with Article 33 of the UAE Labour Law. While employees may legally take unpaid leave, such requests are subject to the employer’s discretion and require approval.”
If an employee resigns to pursue micro-retirement, the employment contract is terminated, and the employer is under no legal obligation to rehire the employee in the future unless specific contractual agreements are in place (such as return-to-work arrangements), which are generally uncommon, Ms Loku adds.
THE SPECS
Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo
Transmission: eight-speed automatic
Power: 258hp at 5,000-6,500rpm
Torque: 400Nm from 1,550-4,400rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 6.4L/100km
Price, base: from D215,000 (Dh230,000 as tested)
On sale: now
The five pillars of Islam
Ferrari 12Cilindri specs
Engine: naturally aspirated 6.5-liter V12
Power: 819hp
Torque: 678Nm at 7,250rpm
Price: From Dh1,700,000
Available: Now
'My Son'
Director: Christian Carion
Starring: James McAvoy, Claire Foy, Tom Cullen, Gary Lewis
Rating: 2/5
Stree
Producer: Maddock Films, Jio Movies
Director: Amar Kaushik
Cast: Rajkummar Rao, Shraddha Kapoor, Pankaj Tripathi, Aparshakti Khurana, Abhishek Banerjee
Rating: 3.5
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
The specs
Engine: 3.8-litre twin-turbo flat-six
Power: 650hp at 6,750rpm
Torque: 800Nm from 2,500-4,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed dual-clutch auto
Fuel consumption: 11.12L/100km
Price: From Dh796,600
On sale: now
RESULT
Bayern Munich 0 AC Milan 4
Milan: Kessie (14'), Cutrone (25', 43'), Calhanoglu (85')
The National's picks
4.35pm: Tilal Al Khalediah
5.10pm: Continous
5.45pm: Raging Torrent
6.20pm: West Acre
7pm: Flood Zone
7.40pm: Straight No Chaser
8.15pm: Romantic Warrior
8.50pm: Calandogan
9.30pm: Forever Young
STAY%2C%20DAUGHTER
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EAuthor%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EYasmin%20Azad%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EPublisher%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ESwift%20Press%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EAvailable%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ENow%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Babumoshai Bandookbaaz
Director: Kushan Nandy
Starring: Nawazuddin Siddiqui, Bidita Bag, Jatin Goswami
Three stars
Tenet
Director: Christopher Nolan
Stars: John David Washington, Robert Pattinson, Elizabeth Debicki, Dimple Kapadia, Michael Caine, Kenneth Branagh
Rating: 5/5
Specs
Engine: Electric motor generating 54.2kWh (Cooper SE and Aceman SE), 64.6kW (Countryman All4 SE)
Power: 218hp (Cooper and Aceman), 313hp (Countryman)
Torque: 330Nm (Cooper and Aceman), 494Nm (Countryman)
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh158,000 (Cooper), Dh168,000 (Aceman), Dh190,000 (Countryman)
