SARA ALZAABI (ABU DHABI)
Lung cancer often develops with no symptoms - meaning that by the time signs appear, the disease is already harder to treat. This is why new technologies and regular screenings matter, according to a specialist in Abu Dhabi.
Dr Zaid Zoumot, Division Chair of the Pulmonary Medicine Department at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi's Integrated Hospital Care Institute, flagged this overlooked fact as conversations around lung cancer increasingly focus on the need for earlier intervention.
The remarks follow Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi's launch of the first robotically assisted bronchoscopy technology in the Middle East. Dr Zoumot described the MONARCH platform as a significant advancement in early lung cancer diagnosis.
"This technology enables physicians to navigate deeper into the lungs with enhanced precision and access much smaller or harder-to-reach lung nodules that may represent early signs of cancer," he told Aletihad, adding that tissue samples are collected through a minimally invasive approach.
The platform complements other tools such as endobronchial ultrasound (EBUS) and electromagnetic navigation bronchoscopy (ENB), which uses GPS-like technology to also reach difficult-to-access areas of the lung.
Dr Zoumot said these advancements help doctors detect the disease earlier, diagnose it more accurately, and provide patients with less invasive treatment options with a higher chance of a complete cure.
The expert expects these technologies to evolve into more effective tools for clinical decision-making, offering greater precision and more personalised approaches to lung cancer care.
"Advances in immunotherapy have already transformed cancer care by helping the body's immune system recognise and fight cancer cells," he said.
"In lung cancer specifically, immunotherapy has become an important part of modern treatment approaches for some patients and has contributed to improved outcomes."
Dr Zoumot added that, ultimately, the progress in screening, minimally invasive procedures, molecular testing, artificial intelligence, and personalised therapies will drive earlier detection, more targeted treatment, and better survival and quality of life for patients across the UAE over the next decade.
Who Should Get Screened?
Time is critical to diagnosis, he stressed. The goal is to catch cancer while it remains curable and while more treatment options are still viable for the patient.
Beyond technology, an individual's initiative to get checked and undergo screenings is central to making early interventions work.
Dr Zoumot explained that lung cancer screening is recommended for people aged 50 to 75 with a significant smoking history.
"[These include] those who have smoked the equivalent of one pack of cigarettes daily for more than 20 years, or those with a history of medwakh or shisha use for more than 20 years," he said. "This includes people who have quit."
Continued information campaigns across platforms encourage people to understand their risk factors and seek screening when appropriate.
"The UAE leadership has been consistently focused on raising awareness around the importance of early detection and screening," the expert added. "These efforts are helping people to take a more proactive approach to their health."
