Chairperson of the Indonesian Breast Cancer Foundation (YKPI) Linda Agum Gumelar emphasized the importance of collaboration between the government and other stakeholders to prevent breast and cervical cancer rates in Indonesia from increasing.
“To achieve something that is good and beneficial, it is necessary to collaborate with all parties,” Gumelar noted in a written statement here on Friday.
According to the 2020 Globocan data, new cancer cases in Indonesia reached 66 thousand, with death toll reported at over 22 thousand. The high fatality count is mainly caused by delays in treatment.
“If it is not handled properly and well-integrated, there will be an increase in the number of new cases of breast cancer in Indonesia in future,” she expounded.
The YKPI, in collaboration with the Region I Bukit Barisan of the Indonesian Military (TNI) Officer’s Wives Association (Persit) and region A of Dharma Pertiwi Foundation, Prima Indonesia University and Royal Prima Medan Hospital, conducted free mammography, breast ultrasound, and Pap smear tests on March 24-25, 2022.
Head of the Region I Bukit Barisan Persit, Intan Achmad Daniel Chardin, remarked that cervical cancer and breast cancer were the leading causes of death.
“Hence, prevention is better than cure,” she stressed.
Chardin expressed optimism that mothers would maintain their health and implement a healthy lifestyle, so that they can take care of their families.
A pap smear is expected to detect early abnormalities, as cervical cancer is usually asymptomatic at an early stage.
She also expressed optimism that the wives of TNI officers would be able to conduct a breast self-examination, or BSE, so that they can check themselves and are expected to share knowledge about BSE with close relatives and the people around them to increase insight and awareness regarding breast cancer.
Source: Antara News