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The anti-cancerous benefits of the diabetes drug metformin have been highlighted at a major gathering of healthcare professionals.
Dr Amir Sam, Clinical Lecturer in Medicine, Imperial College London, and Specialist Consultant, Imperial College London Diabetes Centre, (ICLDC) was addressing delegates at the Middle East Diabetes Conference at Arab Health 2014.
He underlined new research which suggests how the drug Metformin, one of the most common treatments for type two diabetes, helps reduce the risk of developing and dying from some cancers.
Over the last few years some studies have suggested that Metformin inhibits pathways in the growth of cancerous cells.
“Metformin is one of the oldest drugs associated with the treatment of diabetes, and remains one of the most commonly prescribed medicines,” he said.
“But we are now gaining a better understanding of the underlying mechanisms for the anti-cancer effects of Metformin,” he added.
Some of the cancers highlighted in new studies include colon, lung and liver cancer.
Senior specialists from ICLDC leading the way at one of the regions’ largest gatherings of healthcare professionals.
The second Middle East Diabetes Conference on January 27 and 28 runs alongside Arab Health 2014 and is taking its place among 19 specialist conferences accredited by HAAD for Continuing Medical Education (CME).
Karim Meeran Chairman of ICLDC’s Medical Board and Professor of Endocrinology, Imperial College London, noted that the conference will have an important focus on the region.
“We know that the Middle East is particularly affected by diabetes and its related complications and recent figures from the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) confirm this.”
“So its vital that subjects covered in this meeting, like dealing with diabetes during Ramadan, are specifically geared towards the region.”
Recently released figures from the IDF estimate that 18.98 per cent of the UAE population lives with diabetes, placing the country 15th worldwide.
The figures also suggest diabetes is a regional problem with three GCC nations featuring in the top ten countries for diabetes prevalence.
The two-day programme will inform GPs, Family Physicians and those dealing with diabetes patients on the best practices for managing diabetes.
There will also be up-to-date talks looking at trends such as bariatric surgery as a treatment and insulin pump treatment.
The Middle East Diabetes Conference is one of several major events being led by ICLDC specialists this year.
In fact, the second Clinical Update from the European Society of Endocrinology (ESE), in collaboration with ICLDC, was held earlier this month and featured more than 15 international expert sessions.
Meanwhile the Middle East Diabetes Conference gets underway the day after a group of doctors complete the Membership of the Royal College of Physicians (MRCP) part 1 at ICLDC’s Abu Dhabi facility. Further educational events include the Advanced Diabetes Conference on September 26th and 27th this year and a further European Endocrinology Clinical Update on January 16th and 17th 2015. Details on http://icldc.ae
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