Cancer Control Efforts

Cancer is a big health problem. However, many cases of cancer are discovered after they are in an advanced stage.

The following article was translated using both Microsoft Azure Open AI and Google Translation AI. The original article can be found in Upaya Pengendalian Kanker

AYU OCTAVI ANJANI

A number of female cancer survivors danced and sang in Nusantara parade, the 20th anniversary of Cancer Information and Support Center (CISC) at Anjungan Sarinah, Central Jakarta, on Sunday (May 7, 2023).

Cancer turns out to be a disease that is often found in society. In our extended family, in the past three years, three people have had cancer. My little sister has breast cancer. My niece has cervical cancer. Another one, my five year old nephew, has brain cancer. I followed the treatment journey of the three family members

A good outcome is brain cancer. After undergoing surgery, the condition is good until now, while the family who experienced breast cancer and cervical cancer are still going back and forth to the hospital because the disease has not been cured. In fact, they have undergone chemotherapy and radiotherapy.

Fortunately, all medical costs are covered by BPJS Health. The cost of cancer treatment is very expensive. Starting from the diagnosis process, therapy, to supporting drugs to eliminate symptoms and improve the sufferer's condition, everything is expensive.

I am a 60 year old former soldier. If cancer in developed countries can be treated well and also prevented, what causes cancer in our country to become such a frightening disease? Does our lifestyle and environment make it easier for cancer to occur? Are there not enough doctors, medicine or medical equipment?

In recent times I have heard that not only families are experiencing cancer, but also former work friends, even neighbors. It seems that cancer has become a common disease in our society.

Please explain, doctor, why someone can get cancer? What habits should be avoided? Is there a way to prevent cancer? What is meant by early detection? Why are people advised to undergo early cancer detection and what cancers can be detected early? Thank you for the explanation Doctor.

J in J

ERIKA KURNIA UNTUK KOMPAS

Professor of the Department of Internal Medicine, FKUI Samsuridjal Djauzi

Cancer is becoming a growing health issue. The number of diagnosed cancer cases is increasing. This upward trend is due to various factors, such as the public's awareness of cancer, financial support for treatment, and our ability to diagnose cancer.

In the past, cancer might not have been diagnosed yet, so it was considered a strange and incurable disease. Hospital data shows that cancer is one of the top ten leading causes of death in our country.

Lung cancer is often found in men. This cancer is closely related to smoking habits, in women cervical and breast cancer. Cervical cancer is associated with a viral infection called Human papillomavirus. Liver cancer is often found, both in men and women, and this cancer is associated with infection with the hepatitis B virus, hepatitis C, and the habit of drinking alcohol.

Also read: Just Finished Prostate Treatment, Now King Charles III Has Cancer

KOMPAS/RIZA FATHONI

Artist Shahnaz Haque (center) performs with children in the musical drama Bersama Lestarikan Indonesia (Bestari) at the National Museum Theater Hall, Jakarta, Saturday (22/10/2022). This musical drama has the theme of performing arts, traditional angklung music, traditional Indonesian dance and contemporary dance.

Prevention

The government has been endeavoring to control cancer in Indonesia through educational efforts, prevention, early detection, medical services, and rehabilitation. It's not only the government that's involved, but the community as well, who are moving together to control cancer. The Indonesian Cancer Foundation has been established for a long time, conducting education and early detection efforts and assisting in medical treatment and rehabilitation.

Cancer is a significant health issue, resulting in fatalities and requiring substantial funding for treatment. One of the challenges we face is that cancer diagnosis in our country often finds cancer already in advanced stages.

In the early stages, cancer is easier to treat and its treatment is simpler, for example, only surgery. However, in advanced stages, in addition to surgery, radiation therapy and chemotherapy may be necessary. The results of treating advanced stage cancer are not as good as treating early stage cancer. Therefore, in addition to education and prevention efforts, the government is promoting early detection.

There are numerous causes of cancer, including genetic factors and lifestyle choices that lead to increased exposure to cancer-causing agents, such as certain viruses and carcinogenic substances. If there are close family members, such as a father or mother, who have suffered from cancer, their children should be more vigilant because they may be at a greater risk of developing the disease.

Prevention efforts that have been clearly successful are vaccinations, for example human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination which can reduce cervical cancer and mouth and throat cancer. Hepatitis B vaccination in Taiwan has succeeded in reducing liver cancer. These two vaccinations are generally carried out in our country for school-age children or adolescents. Our Food and Drug Supervisory Agency (Badan POM) monitors that the food consumed by the public does not contain carcinogenic ingredients, such as certain dyes.

In work locations that pose a risk of radiation exposure, such as in the radiology department, everyone undergoes procedures to reduce the risk of radiation exposure. The government also monitors the use of paint or roofing materials that may contain substances that affect health, including the possibility of causing cancer.

The cost of cancer therapy is indeed expensive. Treatment in the early stages usually yields better results. For example, early stage cervical cancer may be cured with a simple surgery or cauterization.

However, if it has already been in an advanced stage for decades, besides surgery, the treatment may also include radiation therapy and chemotherapy. The treatment becomes expensive, but the therapeutic results remain unsatisfactory. Early detection efforts for cancer are currently being carried out for cervical, breast, and prostate cancer.

HPV vaccination in developed countries that has been ongoing for some time has successfully reduced cervical cancer. In fact, there is a sense of optimism among health experts that cervical cancer, which is currently still one of the leading causes of death in women, will be eradicated. It's an incredibly uplifting progress.

HPV vaccination not only reduces the incidence of cervical cancer but also oral and throat cancer. In addition to treatment methods such as surgery, chemotherapy and radiation therapy, cancer treatment is now reinforced with the discovery of immunotherapy.

Treatment methods that enhance the immune system to fight cancer cells. Immunotherapy has shown positive results for lung cancer, with the potential to significantly prolong the life expectancy of patients. Due to the increasing number of cancer cases, our treatment facilities are often at full capacity.

Also read: Tobacco and Air Pollution Main Factors in Increase in Cancer Cases

However, to control cancer, efforts that will truly benefit are increasing public awareness, prevention and early detection. The government also needs to protect the public from exposure to carcinogenic substances. Advanced technology can improve cancer treatment outcomes, but prevention efforts are more essential for cancer control.