title: Modification and implementation of NCCN guidelines on breast cancer in the Middle East and North Africa region.
abstract: Published data from the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region indicate suboptimal quality of cancer care, while the World Health Organization predicts an increase in cancer cases in developing countries. Major advances in breast cancer management mandate the development of guidelines to improve the quality and efficacy of oncology practice in the MENA region. A Breast Cancer Regional Guidelines Committee was organized and activated, comprising experts from various regional cancer institutions. The multidisciplinary team included 12 medical oncologists, 3 radiation oncologists, 2 radiologists, 2 surgeons, and 1 pathologist. The committee members agreed on adapting the current NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology (NCCN Guidelines) on Breast Cancer for use in the MENA region to achieve common practice standards for treating patients. The members suggested several modifications to the guidelines, especially those related to risk factor profiles. United States-based NCCN experts reviewed these recommendations before final approval. The MENA-NCCN Breast Cancer Guidelines modification process was the first initiative in the development of common practice guidelines in the region. This project may serve as a foundation for the development of evidence-based practice standards, and improve collaborative projects and initiatives.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oncology, King Saud bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. abulkhairo@ngha.med.sa
authors.forename: Omalkhair
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authors.lastname: Birido
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authors.lastname: Al-Eissa
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authors.lastname: Al Sukhun
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authors.lastname: Jaloudi
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mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000352:Africa, Northern / Q000453:epidemiology; D000367:Age Factors; D018912:Arabs / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D018270:Carcinoma, Ductal, Breast / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy; D002285:Carcinoma, Intraductal, Noninfiltrating / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy; D017024:Chemotherapy, Adjuvant; D055088:Early Detection of Cancer; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D005260:Female; D005817:Genetic Counseling; D006297:Health Services Accessibility; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis / Q000175:diagnosis; D008403:Mass Screening; D015412:Mastectomy, Segmental; D008875:Middle Aged; D008877:Middle East / Q000453:epidemiology; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D003557:Phyllodes Tumor / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy; D011379:Prognosis; D011785:Quality Assurance, Health Care; D018714:Radiotherapy, Adjuvant; D012307:Risk Factors; D021701:Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy; D014481:United States