Introduction

With cancer being the third leading cause of mortality, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) government has been investing heavily to advance cancer care. There has been a significant investment from both the government and private healthcare institutions to improve and enhance the quality and accessibility of cancer care in the UAE. While data regarding the incidence is becoming more accessible and centralized through the national cancer registry, survival and outcome data for cancer in the UAE are still lacking. Creating a reference book about cancer care in the UAE will not be complete without the historical background. In this introduction, we will summarize the history of cancer care in the UAE over the last 50 years since the UAE was established. This chapter is very important for anyone who is interested in learning about oncology care in the UAE. This book will map the way forward for healthcare providers, regulators, decision-makers, patients, and other stakeholders to advance cancer care in the UAE.