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Review
. 2017 May;17(2):e147-e154.
doi: 10.18295/squmj.2016.17.02.003. Epub 2017 Jun 20.

Cancer Research in the Arab World: A review of publications from seven countries between 2000-2013

Randah R Hamadeh  1 , Saif M Borgan  2 , Abla M Sibai  3
Affiliations
Review

Cancer Research in the Arab World: A review of publications from seven countries between 2000-2013

Randah R Hamadeh et al. Sultan Qaboos Univ Med J. 2017 May.

Abstract

This review aimed to examine trends in cancer research in the Arab world and identify existing research gaps. A search of the MEDLINE® database (National Library of Medicine, Bethesda, Maryland, USA) was undertaken for all cancer-related publications published between January 2000 and December 2013 from seven countries, including Bahrain, Kuwait, Iraq, Lebanon, Morocco, Palestine and Sudan. A total of 1,773 articles were identified, with a significant increase in yearly publications over time (P <0.005). Only 30.6% of the publications included subjects over the age of 50 years old. There was a dearth of cross-sectional/correlational studies (8.8%), randomised controlled trials (2.4%) and systematic reviews/meta-analyses (1.3%). Research exploring cancer associations mainly considered social and structural determinants of health (27.1%), followed by behavioural risk factors (14.1%), particularly tobacco use. Overall, more cancer research is needed in the Arab world, particularly analytical studies with high-quality evidence and those focusing on older age groups and associations with physical activity and diet.

Keywords: Arab World; Cancer; Chronic Diseases; Publications; Research.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Number of cancer publications from selected Arab countries between 2000–2013 (A) per year and (B) per million people per country (N = 1,773).
Figure 2
Figure 2
Percentage of yearly publications out of the total number of cancer publications from selected Arab countries between 2000–2013 (N = 1,773).
Figure 3
Figure 3
Proportion of (A) overall risk factors and (B) behavioural risk factors identified in cancer publications from selected Arab countries between 2000–2013.* *Percentages do not add up to 100% as multiple factors were sometimes examined in a single article.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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