A Review on the Multidisciplinary Approach for Cancer Management in the Eastern Mediterranean Region: A Focus on Nutritional, Lifestyle and Supportive Care

Ayoub Al-Jawaldeh, Asmus Hammerich, Faisal Abdulghafar Aldayel, Giuseppe Troisi, Hanin Al-Jawaldeh, Hassan Aguenaou, Heba Alsawahli, Ibtihal Fadhil, Imen Sohaibani, Jalila El Ati, Jihan Azar, Lamia Mahmoud, Maha Barbar, Majid Mqbel Alkhalaf, Nahla Gafer, Taghreed Mohammed Alghaith, Zaynab Mahdi and Mandy Taktouk ()
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Ayoub Al-Jawaldeh: Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean, World Health Organization, Cairo 7608, Egypt
Asmus Hammerich: Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean, World Health Organization, Cairo 7608, Egypt
Faisal Abdulghafar Aldayel: Saudi Public Health Authority, Riyadh 13352, Saudi Arabia
Giuseppe Troisi: Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean, World Health Organization, Cairo 7608, Egypt
Hanin Al-Jawaldeh: Action Against Hunger, Amman 11191, Jordan
Hassan Aguenaou: Department of Nutrition, International University of Rabat, Rabat 11103, Morocco
Heba Alsawahli: Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean, World Health Organization, Cairo 7608, Egypt
Ibtihal Fadhil: NCD Alliance, Kuwait City 26733, Kuwait
Imen Sohaibani: Saudi Public Health Authority, Riyadh 13352, Saudi Arabia
Jalila El Ati: SURVEN (Nutrition Surveillance and Epidemiology in Tunisia) Research Laboratory, INNTA (National Institute of Nutrition and Food Technology), Tunis 1007, Tunisia
Jihan Azar: Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean, World Health Organization, Cairo 7608, Egypt
Lamia Mahmoud: Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean, World Health Organization, Cairo 7608, Egypt
Maha Barbar: Pediatrics Department, King Hussein Cancer Center, Amman 11941, Jordan
Majid Mqbel Alkhalaf: Saudi Public Health Authority, Riyadh 13352, Saudi Arabia
Nahla Gafer: Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean, World Health Organization, Cairo 7608, Egypt
Taghreed Mohammed Alghaith: Saudi Public Health Authority, Riyadh 13352, Saudi Arabia
Zaynab Mahdi: Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean, World Health Organization, Cairo 7608, Egypt
Mandy Taktouk: Nutrition and Food Sciences Department, Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences, American University of Beirut, Beirut 11-0236, Lebanon

IJERPH, 2025, vol. 22, issue 4, 1-21

Abstract: Cancer is one of the leading causes of global morbidity and mortality and one of the most challenging global health conditions, impacting the lives of millions every year. The Eastern Mediterranean Region (EMR) is not on track to achieve the sustainable development goal (SDG) target 3.4 which aims to reduce premature mortality (i.e., before the age of 70 years) for non-communicable diseases (NCDs), including cancer, by a third by year 2030; instead, it is projected that the EMR will experience the least progress towards achieving this target. This review therefore highlights the importance of context-specific cancer management, with a focus on nutritional, lifestyle and supportive care, in the EMR. A comprehensive literature search was conducted using electronic databases, including PubMed, Scopus and Google Scholar, as well as the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and key oncology institutes. Nutritional and lifestyle management is a fundamental aspect of cancer care which should be context-specific, achievable and individualized to minimize symptoms and side effects, while maximizing benefits and better addressing the needs of the patients with cancer. A multidisciplinary approach that integrates medical, nutritional, psychological and palliative care is essential to address this growing issue effectively. Cancer care and management requires coordinated efforts from policymakers, healthcare providers and communities to implement evidence-based interventions and promote cancer awareness.

Keywords: nutrition; lifestyle; supportive care; cancer care; management; multidisciplinary approach; Eastern Mediterranean Region (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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