Abstract
This review aimed to examine trends in cancer research in the Arab world and identify existing research gaps. A search of the MEDLINE® database (National Library of Medicine, Bethesda, Maryland, USA) was undertaken for all cancer-related publications published between January 2000 and December 2013 from seven countries, including Bahrain, Kuwait, Iraq, Lebanon, Morocco, Palestine and Sudan. A total of 1,773 articles were identified, with a significant increase in yearly publications over time (P <0.005). Only 30.6% of the publications included subjects over the age of 50 years old. There was a dearth of cross-sectional/correlational studies (8.8%), randomised controlled trials (2.4%) and systematic reviews/meta-analyses (1.3%). Research exploring cancer associations mainly considered social and structural determinants of health (27.1%), followed by behavioural risk factors (14.1%), particularly tobacco use. Overall, more cancer research is needed in the Arab world, particularly analytical studies with high-quality evidence and those focusing on older age groups and associations with physical activity and diet.
Publication details
- DOI
- 10.18295/squmj.2016.17.02.003
- Journal
- Sultan Qaboos University Medical Journal, 17(2), 147-154
- Publisher
- Sultan Qaboos University
- Open access
- Gold open access
- License
- CC BY-ND 4.0
Cite this article
APA 7
Hamadeh, R. R., Borgan, S. M., & M., A. (2025). Cancer Research in the Arab World: A review of publications from seven countries between 2000–2013. Sultan Qaboos University Medical Journal, 17(2), 147-154. https://doi.org/10.18295/squmj.2016.17.02.003
MLA 9
Hamadeh, Randah R., et al. "Cancer Research in the Arab World: A review of publications from seven countries between 2000–2013." Sultan Qaboos University Medical Journal, vol. 17, no. 2, 2025, pp. 147-154. https://doi.org/10.18295/squmj.2016.17.02.003.
Chicago (author–date)
Hamadeh, Randah R., Saif M. Borgan, and Abla M. 2025. "Cancer Research in the Arab World: A review of publications from seven countries between 2000–2013." Sultan Qaboos University Medical Journal 17 (2): 147-154. https://doi.org/10.18295/squmj.2016.17.02.003.
Harvard
Hamadeh, R. R., Borgan, S. M. and M., A. (2025) 'Cancer Research in the Arab World: A review of publications from seven countries between 2000–2013', Sultan Qaboos University Medical Journal, 17(2), pp. 147-154. doi:10.18295/squmj.2016.17.02.003.
Vancouver
Hamadeh RR, Borgan SM, M. A. Cancer Research in the Arab World: A review of publications from seven countries between 2000–2013. Sultan Qaboos University Medical Journal. 2025;17(2):147-154. doi:10.18295/squmj.2016.17.02.003
IEEE
R. R. Hamadeh, S. M. Borgan, and A. M., "Cancer Research in the Arab World: A review of publications from seven countries between 2000–2013," Sultan Qaboos University Medical Journal, vol. 17, no. 2, pp. 147-154, 2025, doi: 10.18295/squmj.2016.17.02.003.