Lesser-known lymphoma produces alarming statistic<\/p>\n
Emmy Fitri, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta<\/p>\n
Pro-democracy activist Ibrahim \"Bram\" G. Zakir has the resilience
\nof a warrior. A political prisoner in the Soeharto years, his
\nunfaltering loyalty to his country and dream of a people's
\ndemocracy have never wavered.<\/p>\n
Like many who are committed to a cause, Ibrahim was neglectful
\nof his health. Last year, doctors diagnosed him as having
\nlymphoma. His fighting spirit saw him through his ordeal and this
\nyear he went into complete remission.<\/p>\n
Lesser-known lymphoma is a type of cancer that is developed
\nbecause of the mutation of the lymphocyte cells.<\/p>\n
The causes remain unknown but the World Health Organization
\n(WHO) has cited at least four possible factors: genetic; immune
\nsystem deviation; a virus or bacteria; and chemical toxins like
\nherbicides, food preservation chemicals and chemical food
\ncoloring.<\/p>\n
Lymphoma killed Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis and Jordanian King
\nHussein. The World Health Report for 2000 showed lymphoma killed
\nmore than 300,000 people worldwide and over 1.5 million people
\nwere living with lymphoma that year.<\/p>\n
Because of the alarming statistics, the International Union
\nAgainst Cancer declared Sept. 15 World Lymphoma Awareness Day.<\/p>\n
The event promotes education for the public on the condition,
\nits symptoms and how it affects lives. The official website of
\nthe day makes it clear that early diagnosis makes a huge
\ndifference in the ability to combat the disease.<\/p>\n
There are two kinds of lymphoma, i.e. Hodgkin's and non-
\nHodgkin's lymphoma (NHL). The later is relatively more difficult
\nto treat. A recent study found there were over 30 NHL sub-types
\nthat require different approaches to treat.<\/p>\n
In its website, the Worldwide Network of Lymphoma Groups
\nexpresses concern over the rising incidence of NHL by 3 to 7
\npercent a year. The disease can be very difficult to diagnose due
\nto its common and often-overlooked symptoms. Thus, early
\ndetection is crucial as is raising awareness among people that
\nanyone can get this disease.<\/p>\n
Bram's grandfather and father died of cancer, but he had
\nalways thought he was in perfect health and would be as fit in
\nold age.<\/p>\n
But, at the age of 53, Bram, who is one of the founders of
\npolitical research group RIDEP, was diagnosed with cancer.<\/p>\n
With no pain and no external symptoms he did not realize that
\nthe cancer was silently spreading. It was his family who knew
\nthat something was wrong. Bram underwent a medical check-up and
\nlumps were detected on both lymph nodes, his chest, armpits and
\ngroin.<\/p>\n
\"A biopsy was suggested. I heeded the advice and the results
\nshowed I had advanced non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. I took the news
\nlightly but my wife could not accept it at first. We dealt with
\nthe situation gradually. I had to be cured, that's what I thought
\nto myself,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Undernourished<\/p>\n
When the father of three began chemotherapy his doctor
\nlooked into his past lifestyle.<\/p>\n
A devout Muslim, Bram was accustomed to puasa Daud, or Daud's
\nfasting.<\/p>\n
\"In Daud fasting, we are obliged to fast one day but not the
\nnext. So, in a six-day week, we fast for three days,\" he said.
\nPerhaps the fasting was not to blame, but Bram was a chain-smoker
\nand would break his fast with whatever was at hand.<\/p>\n
\"Usually I broke my fast with gorengan ubi (fried cassava),
\nwhich I bought on the street, or coffee and then a smoke. I got
\nthrough two or three packs of cigarettes in a day. It's a bad
\nhabit, really,\" he said, adding that his doctor even described
\nhim as undernourished.<\/p>\n
A drastic change was made when Bram underwent the
\nchemotherapy. He quit smoking and committed to a healthy diet.
\nThe eight sessions of chemotherapy were not as traumatic as he
\nhad imagined they would be.<\/p>\n
\"Of course there were side effects, but I had already
\nanticipated that,\" said Bram, who got serious diarrhea after
\nchemotherapy sessions.<\/p>\n
What was more shocking to him was the cost of treatment. He
\nthanked his family and friends for their support in covering his
\nmedical expenses.<\/p>\n
\"I am not a rich man. I don't know what I would have done if I
\ndidn't have family and friends like them,\" he said. For a
\nchemotherapy session, Bram paid Rp 24 million.<\/p>\n
\"Cancer is an expensive disease. People can just die like that
\nif not treated. My doctor said what happened to me was a miracle,
\nin part because my cancer was aggressive and already in the
\nadvanced phase,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Bram considers himself lucky because of his ready-to-help
\nfamily and friends, but more than that the Indonesian Cancer
\nFoundation (YKI) made it possible for him to pay the net price
\nfor his medicine.<\/p>\n
\"I used MabThera for my chemo. I don't know how I would have
\ncontinued my treatment without the YKI,\" Bram said.<\/p>\n
The foundation was founded in 1977 by among others, former
\nvice president Mohamad Hatta and former health minister G.A.
\nSiwabessy. The purpose of its establishment was to support the
\ngovernment in its efforts to fight cancer, through promotional,
\npreventive as well as rehabilitative and supportive activities.<\/p>\n
\"A cytostatic medicine service is but one of our numerous
\nprograms. We provide free medicine for cancer patients in state
\nhospitals whose prognosis is good but who can't afford the drugs.
\nThe other way we help is through providing cytostatic drugs from
\npharmaceutical firms for the net price,\" Melissa S Luwia, a
\nphysician with the foundation, said.<\/p>\n
The donation service was launched in 1987 while the channeling
\nservice kicked off in 1990.<\/p>\n
As a non-profit organization, the foundation is dependent on
\nthe generosity of donors.<\/p>\n
\"Of course we want to help more people, but at the same time
\nwe also want people to share with us what they can share,\"
\nMelissa said, adding that the foundation had seen a decreasing
\nnumber of donations.<\/p>\n
\"This was primarily caused by the 1997 economic crisis;
\nthings never returned to normal,\" she said.<\/p>\n
For Bram -- who remains committed to seeing democracy
\nfunctioning well in the country -- his cancer experience was
\nprecious in that he can use it to motivate others.<\/p>\n
\"Some people call me to ask this and that, related to my past
\nexperiences . But most of the time, I am the one who ends up
\nbetter informed,\" he said, laughing.<\/p>\n
On the Net:<\/p>\n
World Lymphoma Awareness Day : www.lymphomacoalition.com<\/p>\n
Indonesian lymphoma coalition :www.indonesia.lymphoma-net.org<\/p>\n
World Health Organization: www.who.int<\/p>\n
Indonesian Cancer Foundation<\/p>\n
www.kankerindo.org<\/p>\n
Jl. Sam Ratulangi 35-37, Menteng, Central Jakarta<\/p>\n
Phone: 021-31927464<\/p>\n
E-mail: ykipusat@rad.net.id<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/lesser-known-lymphoma-produces-alarming-statistic-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }