In the Middle East, as in other countries in the developing world, there is now a wide acceptance that palliative care is an important public health issue that should be integrated into the mainstream of cancer care as well as other life-threatening diseases. Nowadays, it is recognised as a human right issue that patients and families have the right to receive this care. The WHO defined palliative care as the active total care of the patient's body, mind and spirit; whereby health care providers need to evaluate and alleviate the patient's physical, psychological and social distress. Such care encompasses a broad, multidisciplinary approach that includes both the family and the community and is provided in a range of settings, from the hospital, to the community health centre, to home. This unique and timely book captures the progress and vision of many dedicated groups throughout the Middle East and the USA who have been working to advocate for and develop palliative care services in the region. Each of the book's chapters describes the efforts and challenges professionals have been experiencing as they address the palliative care needs of patients with life-limiting illnesses. Each country's specific chapter details the current state of palliative care services and describes the various approaches that led to the development of a range of services in hospital-based sites to community and home-based care services.

With cancer ranking as the primary or secondary cause of premature death in almost 100 countries worldwide, the World Health Organization recognized a high level of investment in cancer control and treatment (including palliative care) in 2019. At that time, governments at the World Health Assembly (WHA) unanimously adopted a new cancer resolution (Universal Health Coverage: Moving Together to Build a Healthier World). The resolution noted the potential for cancer prevention to reduce cancer burden in the future, while reducing the suffering from cancer in the communities. As most countries are facing an overall increase in the absolute number of cancer cases, large geographical diversity in cancer occurrence and variations in the magnitude and profile of the disease still continue between and within world regions. Specific types of cancer dominate globally: lung, female breast, and colorectal cancer. The regional variations in common cancer types signal the extent to which societal, economic, and lifestyle changes interplay to differentially impact the profile of this most complex group of diseases. Although survival rates for cancer have improved significantly over the past few decades, for each individual, the diagnosis and treatment of cancer are still devastating, affecting the family and community as well. The care of a person with cancer must be more than just the treatment of the cancer itself. Understanding the cultural, psychological, social, and spiritual dimensions of the cancer sufferer and their family and community will ensure the best care. In order to treat individuals with cancer and understand how to give the best possible care to underserved populations, we need to understand cultural diversity. Understanding that cultural aspects of a society may be intertwined with finances and other resources can improve adherence and access to care. Culture is made up of language, religion, cuisine, social norms, history, ancestry, music, arts, and spirituality. In order to improve cancer care outcomes, patients' diverse spiritual and cultural beliefs must be recognized. In addition, available methods must be utilized to improve access and adherence to treatment modalities and regimens. In this book, we focus on numerous diverse cultures, traditions, and faiths. Many parts of the world are composed of indigenous cultures, with unique spiritual beliefs in addition to the region's primary religion. We present chapters on indigenous religions as well as indigenous traditional healers. People everywhere experience trouble, sorrow, need, and sickness, and they develop skills and knowledge in response to these adversities. This book provides insightful models of these parameters and serves as a valuable resource for health care providers and policymakers by taking a global approach to cultural diversity in the world. By understanding this multiculturalism and the many aspects of psychological, social, and spiritual dimensions of health and healing, we can learn from one another.

The incidence of cancer is alarmingly increasing worldwide. The major problem that the medical profession is currently facing refers to "late presentation" patients who, for the most part, have reached the terminal stage of the illness. For these people, the only treatment option left is palliative care. Various patterns of palliation have been in practice in every culture and in every ethnic group for generations. Unfortunately, we still lack significant and sustained investment in research related to the practice of palliative care. Authors from around the globe seek more investment of public and private funds to investigate ways to improve the bedside practice of palliative care. Modern palliative care concepts were established by Dame Cicely Saunders, from London, UK, right after World War II. It is only in the past 15 to 20 years that this new discipline started to develop in the developing world. However, we still lack the essential basic biological processes involved in relieving the suffering of cancer patients while receiving palliative measures throughout the trajectory of the disease. This book owes its origins in large measure to physicians and nurses in 30 countries globally, who decided to devote their time, energy, compassion and goodwill, to the promotion of palliative care in their countries and communities, yet they lack solid evidence-based data to rely upon while extending their treatment to both patients and family members. The goal, in part, is to bridge the gap between scientists and clinicians from developed countries and those in developing countries. We have been aware of the variances between cultures, traditions, beliefs and practices. I am continually struck by the seemingly diametrical views of "knowing" and cultures and the strong overlaps that might give rise to new ideas. We hope that these new volumes will serve to inspire health professionals' and administrators' interests and appreciation for the investment in basic and clinical research that will serve to advance our understanding of the underlying physical and emotional factors involved while extending palliative care to patients suffering from cancer and other non-communicable illnesses.

The incidence of cancer is alarmingly increasing worldwide. The major problem that the medical profession is currently facing refers to "late presentation" patients who, for the most part, have reached the terminal stage of the illness. For these people, the only treatment option left is palliative care. Various patterns of palliation have been in practice in every culture and in every ethnic group for generations. Unfortunately, we still lack significant and sustained investment in research related to the practice of palliative care. Authors from around the globe seek more investment of public and private funds to investigate ways to improve the bedside practice of palliative care. Modern palliative care concepts were established by Dame Cicely Saunders, from London, UK, right after World War II. It is only in the past 15 to 20 years that this new discipline started to develop in the developing world. However, we still lack the essential basic biological processes involved in relieving the suffering of cancer patients while receiving palliative measures throughout the trajectory of the disease. This book owes its origins in large measure to physicians and nurses in 30 countries globally, who decided to devote their time, energy, compassion and goodwill, to the promotion of palliative care in their countries and communities, yet they lack solid evidence-based data to rely upon while extending their treatment to both patients and family members. The goal, in part, is to bridge the gap between scientists and clinicians from developed countries and those in developing countries. We have been aware of the variances between cultures, traditions, beliefs and practices. I am continually struck by the seemingly diametrical views of "knowing" and cultures and the strong overlaps that might give rise to new ideas. We hope that these new volumes will serve to inspire health professionals' and administrators' interests and appreciation for the investment in basic and clinical research that will serve to advance our understanding of the underlying physical and emotional factors involved while extending palliative care to patients suffering from cancer and other non-communicable illnesses.