Layth Mula-Hussain, Radiation Oncologist at BC Cancer, Assistant Professor at The University of British Columbia, shared on LinkedIn:
“I am pleased to share our newly published article in Frontiers in Oncology:
‘Occupation and Oncology: Cancer Care in Palestine‘
Cancer does not wait for borders to open, political disputes to resolve, or health systems to recover.
In this Policy and Practice Review, my co-authors and I examine how prolonged occupation, armed conflict, restricted mobility, fragmented governance, fiscal constraints, and limited health-system capacity intersect to affect cancer care in Palestine-from early diagnosis and access to radiotherapy and systemic therapy to referral pathways and patients’ rights.
Importantly, the paper goes beyond describing the challenges. We propose practical priorities, including protected oncology referral corridors, restoration of diagnostic capacity, reliable access to essential cancer medicines, medical evacuation with appropriate companion support, radiotherapy reconstruction, regional mutual-aid agreements, digital oncology records, workforce support, and stronger rights-based monitoring.
One message stands out:
Cancer care is not a luxury that can be postponed until a crisis ends. Continuity of oncology care must remain a humanitarian and health-system priority-even during conflict.
I am grateful to my distinguished co-authors Zahi Abdul-Sater, Caroline Samaha Jabbour , Fadi MIzyed (Atrash), Hibah O., Gevorg Tamamyan, Shada Wadi-Ramahi, Jemma Arakelyan, Khamis Elessi, Asem Mansour and Richard Sullivan for bringing together perspectives from oncology, global health, health systems, and cancer policy.
Published in Frontiers in Oncology, as part of the Research Topic ‘Cancer Care Strategies in Fragile and Conflict Zones.'”
Title: Occupation and oncology: cancer care in Palestine
Authors: Layth Mula-Hussain, Zahi Abdul-Sater, Caroline Samaha Jabbour, Fadi Atrash, Hibah Osman, Gevorg Tamamyan, Shada Wadi-Ramahi, Jemma Arakelyan, Khamis Elessi, Asem Mansour, Richard Sullivan
You can also read ‘Asem Mansour։ Review Explores Challenges in Cancer Care in Palestine‘
