Progress and remaining challenges for cancer control in the Gulf Cooperation Council

Cancer is a growing global health-care problem, especially in under-resourced countries. Cancer prevalence in Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries is projected to increase, potentially leading to a major burden on the economy. Policy makers in GCC countries have invested in the development of National Cancer Control Strategies to address the current and future burden of cancer through different initiatives and policies for prevention, early detection, and management of cancer. These strategies include capacity building, health education, and global partnerships to strengthen health-care systems. The aim of this Review is to highlight the status of cancer control programmes in GCC countries, describe what has been achieved to date, and identify the gaps, with recommendations on how to lower the burden of cancer in the Gulf region in the future.