\u201cOur multi-layered approach begins with the Asia Pacific colorectal\nscreening questionnaire, followed by a digital rectal exam and a fecal\noccult blood test (FOBT) for high-risk individuals,\u201d Deputy Minister of\nHealth Dante Saksono Harbuwono said on Saturday.<\/p>\n
He acknowledged that colorectal cancer is a national health\nchallenge, as the majority of patients present to health facilities in\nadvanced stages.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf 100 colorectal cancer patients come to our health facilities\ntoday, more than 70 of them will arrive in advanced stages. This is not\nbecause they are negligent, not because the disease is untreatable, but\nbecause no one detects it early enough,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n
Harbuwono emphasized that colorectal cancer is a pressing global\noncology issue, with at least 1.9 million new cases recorded each year,\nmaking it the third most common cancer worldwide.<\/p>\n
In Indonesia, colorectal cancer ranks fourth in incidence and is the\nfifth leading cause of cancer-related deaths, resulting in more than\n19,000 fatalities annually.<\/p>\n
Of the five million participants who have undergone screening, his\nteam found 9,000 positive results through digital rectal exams and 2,000\npositive results through FOBT tests.<\/p>\n
These figures reflect only individuals who completed the screening\nprocess.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, the Director of Non-Communicable Diseases at the Health\nMinistry, Siti Nadia Tarmizi, stated that cancer treatment, including\nfor colorectal cancer, is currently covered by the national health\ninsurance program, BPJS Kesehatan. However, she noted that not all drugs\nused for cancer treatment are covered.<\/p>\n
\u201cBut there are certain drugs, perhaps targeted therapy. Targeted\ntherapy is usually for metastases, those that have spread everywhere.\nPerhaps not all of them are covered by BPJS because they are expensive,\u201d\nshe said.<\/p>\n
Therefore, she urged the public to take preventive measures by\nadopting a healthy lifestyle and consuming plenty of fruits and\nvegetables. She added that the government will continue to educate the\npublic about this cancer.<\/p>\n
Related news: Indonesia aims for 130 million people in 2026 Free\nHealth Checkup<\/p>\n
Related news: BRIN researchers find anti-cancer potential in turmeric\nsoil bacteria<\/p>\n
Translator: Arie Novarina<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/indonesia-adds-colon-cancer-screening-to-free-health-checkup-program-1780149037", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }