Dr. Hossam Abdel Ghaffar stated that acute leukemia requires immediate intervention within days of diagnosis. The Ministry of Health and Population emphasized the state’s strong focus on cancer treatment, providing therapies according to the latest globally approved protocols that offer high efficiency and fewer side effects. All medications are provided free of charge at treatment centers nationwide. He highlighted the importance of acceptable timing in managing cancer cases, praising the President’s initiative for early detection and free treatment of cancers.

Regarding timing, Dr. Abdel Ghaffar explained that breast cancer treatment should start with surgery or chemotherapy within 4 to 6 weeks of diagnosis. Lung cancer treatment is preferably started within 2 to 4 weeks, especially in aggressive cases. Colon cancer surgery is recommended within 4 to 8 weeks, with chemotherapy starting 6 to 8 weeks post-surgery if needed. Acute leukemia requires urgent intervention within days due to rapid disease progression. These timelines are general guidelines and may vary based on individual patient conditions and cancer types; consultation with specialized medical teams is advised.

Pre-treatment procedures, including diagnostic tests like imaging, biopsy, or blood tests, may take from one day up to two weeks to determine tumor type and stage. Treatment plans are developed by multidisciplinary teams including oncologists, surgeons, and radiologists, usually within one to two weeks.

In emergency cases such as bowel obstruction or severe bleeding, immediate intervention within hours to days may be necessary. Patients with chronic diseases like heart conditions or diabetes might require an additional one to two weeks to stabilize health before starting treatment.

The acceptable timing for cancer treatment depends on cancer type, stage, and patient health, based on international medical practices. After diagnosis, treatment is recommended to begin within 2 to 6 weeks depending on cancer type and need for additional tests like MRI. For aggressive tumors such as small cell lung cancer or pancreatic cancer, treatment preferably begins within one to two weeks. For slow-growing tumors like low-risk prostate cancer, the acceptable delay may extend up to 8 weeks but should not exceed that.