The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) of the World Health Organization (WHO) has appointed Dr. Samar Al Homoud, consultant colorectal surgeon at King Faisal Specialist Hospital & Research Centre, as Chair of its Ethics Committee through an official invitation as the first member from the Middle East Region for this position. Dr. Al Homoud has joined the Ethics Committee 3 years ago along with several international distinguished experts. The committee meets every two months to review and evaluate cancer research proposals for scientific merits and ethical considerations. The main role of the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) is to promote and coordinate international collaborations in cancer research particularly research on cancer etiology, epidemiology, and preventive measures in order to lower the burden of cancer across countries. Dr Al Homoud is one of the first female colorectal surgeon in Saudi Arabia with long standing experience in the field of colorectal cancer. She is the regional expert in colorectal cancer screening and prevention who's involved heavily in drafting invaluable national, regional, and international policies and recommendations on cancer control and prevention. In 2017, Dr. Al Homoud was selected among 23 world leading experts to draft IARC Handbook on "Colorectal Cancer Screening" of which a summary of the evidence was published early this year at The New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM), one of the most prestigious peer-reviewed medical journals. Dr. Samar was also appointed as "Honorary Visiting Consultant Surgeon" at St. Mark's Hospital in the United Kingdom and served in several organizations and scientific societies including Gulf Center for Cancer Control and Prevention. She published several articles in international medical journals and organized several conferences, workshops, and training courses. She's enrolled in several strategic collaborations with national and international organizations such as Saudi Health Council, Ministry of Health, St. Mark's Hospital, Gulf Center for Cancer Control and Prevention, Gulf Cancer Control Federation, and many more. She is also actively involved in organizing and conducting national and regional campaign aiming to increase public awareness about colorectal cancer early signs and symptoms and the best methods for early detection.
