An Emirati woman has successfully addressed a predisposition to cancer before it could develop, thanks to her participation in the UAE’s genome project. Healthcare group M42 officials revealed on the second day of Arab Health that they detected a gene mutation in her report, potentially leading to thyroid cancer.

According to Khaleej Times, Hasan Jasem Al Nowais, managing director and group CEO of M42, and chairman of Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, stated, “She was developing a specific thyroid cancer due to her gene mutating into a cancerous one.”

Upon reviewing her report, M42 enrolled the woman into their precision care network to further analyze the gene mutation. The oncologist confirmed that the gene was on the path to developing thyroid cancer. Although the woman did not currently have cancer, the healthcare team acted promptly and removed her thyroid to prevent the disease from developing. Al Nowais emphasized that preventive medicine and precision care are set to redefine the future of healthcare in the UAE.

M42 operates one of the world’s largest genome programs, analyzing nearly 800,000 genomic signals daily. This extensive data will enable them to deliver precision medicine tailored to individual patients. “We already launched the pharmacogenomics reports, where a patient will know which drug can address the disease,” Al Nowais noted.

In partnership with the Department of Health (DOH), M42 has also initiated a pre-medical health screening program that involves patients answering questionnaires before meeting their doctors. Dr. Laila Abdel Wareth, CEO of diagnostics at M42, explained that these questionnaires cover various topics related to the patient’s overall health. Artificial intelligence is then utilized to predict potential medical issues the patient may face in the future based on their responses.

Since its establishment in 2022 through the merger of G42 Healthcare and Mubadala Health, M42 has expanded significantly, boasting more than 480 facilities across 26 countries and employing over 20,000 people. In addition, M42’s dialysis centers are equipped with an AI thrombosis prediction model, which helps reduce costs for both patients and hospitals. Dimitris Moulavasilis, global patient care CEO of M42, remarked that this model enhances patients’ quality of life and longevity while minimizing unnecessary hospitalizations.

These developments come as Diaverum, a global leader in renal care recently acquired by M42, plans to begin operations in Abu Dhabi and Al Ain to improve care for renal patients in the UAE. Moulavasilis highlighted another innovative model produced in the UAE that can screen x-rays for tuberculosis, aiding specialists in providing more efficient care at lower costs.