Antara, Jakarta – The Indonesian Health Ministry continues to complete health service facilities and early detection for cancer to be accessible at every community health service or puskesmas.
Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin stated in a written statement on Saturday, Feb. 17, that this was part of a strategy to reduce the mortality rate from cancer.
"If cancer is detected early, the patient's recovery rate is greater, and the costs are cheaper," said the minister. "We are preparing all puskesmas with this facility. Hopefully, all equipment can be distributed to 10,000 puskesmas in 514 cities/regencies this year," he added.
Minister Budi remarked that early detection service is specifically for four main types of cancer, namely breast cancer and cervical cancer in women, as well as lung cancer and colon cancer, the cases of which are mostly found in men.
The medical device is the Linear Ultrasound Probe for early detection of breast cancer and the HPV DNA test for cervical cancer with more accurate and easier use than the Pap smear, he explained.
In addition, early detection services for lung cancer and colon cancer would be provided.
The ministry targets every puskesmas to be able to provide lung cancer screening services using Low Dose CT-Scan (LDCT) and colon cancer using colonoscopy. LDCT can detect small lesions or nodules in the lungs that may be an early sign of lung cancer.
"We will complete (the distribution) in stages in 514 cities/regencies to bring CT-Scan in every puskesmas for the Low Dose CT-Scan procedure for early detection of lung cancer and colonoscopy for early detection of colon cancer," said Budi.
He expressed hope that this effort is in line with increased public awareness in carrying out screening and early detection examinations for cancer.
The Health Ministry is also working with collegiums and professional organizations to ensure that all hospitals are ready to provide cancer services.