million scientific chair to study colon cancer in Makkah and the surrounding areas has been established at the Faculty of Medicine of Umm Al-Qura University. It was inaugurated by Dr. Donald Weaver, Chairman of the Department of Surgery at Wayne State University in Detroit, Michigan, last week. Weaver, who is also Chief Surgeon at Detroit Medical Center, told Saudi Gazette that the Chair, established by a “generous donation” from Sheikh Jamil Khogeer, for a five-year period, will study early detection of colon cancer, genetics of colon cancer, and help to inform the public about the importance of testing this type of cancer. Besides Weaver, those involved in the study include Dr. Bakri Assas, President of Umm Al-Qura University, Dr. Abdul Aziz Al-Khotani, Dean of the Faculty of Medicine at the university, and other scientists in genetics, nutrition and surgery. The team comprises eight to 10 doctors, besides medical students. Weaver said the Khogeer family was very concerned that the people of Makkah should benefit from the study. He said that the scientific chair team held detailed discussions with Khogeer family members about the aims and objectives of the Chair, what is expected from it and how to go about establishing it. “I am pleased to play a small part in this project along with colleagues from Umm Al-Qura University,” said Weaver, who has been to the Kingdom four times to attend scientific seminars and conferences. He spent three days in Jeddah during his current visit, and left on Wednesday evening for the United States. He said he hopes to return in three months to carry out the scientific chair study. He said that colon cancer is the most common cancer for men in Saudi Arabia, and the third most common for women. He said that people should be aware of the disease and take precautions to prevent it by early detection. He added that those who eat too much meat and refined and processed food have a higher rate of colon cancer and are advised to avoid such a diet. It may be noted that under an agreement between Umm Al-Qura University and Wayne State University, Weaver trained 14 fifth-year UAQ University medical students – eight men and six women – at Detroit Medical Center this summer for the first time. He said he was impressed by their knowledge and commitment to the profession. Next summer, at least 20 medical students will receive one-month training at Detroit Medical Center.
