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Review
. 2019 Aug 31;11(1):119-131.
doi: 10.1007/s13167-019-00186-x. eCollection 2020 Mar.

Colorectal cancer in Saudi Arabia as the proof-of-principle model for implementing strategies of predictive, preventive, and personalized medicine in healthcare

Mesnad Alyabsi  1   2 , Abdulrahman Alhumaid  3 , Haafiz Allah-Bakhsh  4 , Mohammed Alkelya  1   2 , Mohammad Azhar Aziz  1   2   5   6
Affiliations
Review

Colorectal cancer in Saudi Arabia as the proof-of-principle model for implementing strategies of predictive, preventive, and personalized medicine in healthcare

Mesnad Alyabsi et al. EPMA J. .

Abstract

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the most commonly diagnosed cancer among Saudi males and ranks third in females with up to 73% of cases diagnosed at late stage. This review provides an analysis of CRC situation in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) from healthcare perspective. A PUBMED (1986-2018) search was done to identify publications focusing on CRC in KSA. Due to reports of increased CRC incidence among young age group (< 50), and given the young population of KSA, the disease may burden the national healthcare system in the next decades. Environmental factors attributed to increasing incidence rates of CRC include red meat consumption, sedentary lifestyle, and increased calorie intake. Despite substantial investment in healthcare, attention to predictive diagnostics and targeted prevention is lacking. There is a need to develop national screening guidelines based on evidence that supports a reduction in incidence and mortality of CRC when screening is implemented. Future approaches are discussed based on multi-level diagnostics, risk assessment, and population screening programs focused on the needs of young populations that among others present the contents of the advanced approach by predictive, preventive, and personalized medicine. Recommendations are provided that could help to develop policies at regional and national levels. Countries with demographics and lifestyle similar to KSA may gain insights from this review to shape their policies and procedures.

Keywords: Personalized patient profiling; Predictive preventive personalized medicine, colorectal cancer; Risk factors; Saudi Arabia; Screening; Targeted prevention, healthcare strategy, biomarkers; Treatment tailored to the person; Young population.

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Conflict of interest statement

Competing interestsThe authors declare that they have no competing interests.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Trends of CRC incidence rates across gender in Saudi Arabia (adapted from [9])
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Saudi population pyramid (General Authority for Statistics of Saudi Arabia, 2016). There is a significant proportion of young population in the age group 20–50
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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