AstraZeneca and Prudential Seek to Improve Cancer Patient Education

Jakarta (ANTARA) - AstraZeneca Indonesia and PT Prudential Life Assurance (Prudential Indonesia) are collaborating to improve cancer patients’ understanding and raise public awareness of the importance of appropriate treatment and sustainable health planning.

“Cancer management requires a comprehensive approach, from improving health literacy to understanding the patient care journey,” said President Director of PT AstraZeneca Indonesia Esra Erkomay in an official statement in Jakarta on Monday.

Through this collaboration, both parties are committed to carrying out various educational initiatives focused on raising cancer awareness, sharing up-to-date scientific knowledge and medical guidelines on a non-promotional basis, and promoting financial literacy, particularly regarding life and health insurance.

“We hope this cross-sector collaboration can contribute to strengthening the national health ecosystem, by placing patient education, awareness raising, and cross-sector collaboration as the foundation towards a better quality of life for the Indonesian people,” said Esra.

Chief Health Officer of Prudential Indonesia Yosie William Iroth added that cancer not only affects patients’ physical condition but also carries emotional and financial consequences for individuals and their families.

“We believe that proper education can help the public make better decisions in facing health risks, while supporting the patient care journey in a more holistic manner,” said Yosie.

Based on Globocan 2022 data, Indonesia recorded more than 400,000 new cancer cases with deaths reaching 240,000 cases. Breast cancer, lung cancer, and liver cancer are among the types with the highest prevalence nationally. If cancer does not receive appropriate treatment, cases in Indonesia could surge by more than 70 per cent by 2050.

Cancer management in Indonesia still faces various challenges, one of which is the delay in patients receiving diagnosis and treatment. It is not uncommon for cancer to only be detected when it has reached an advanced stage, which impacts patient survival rates and increases the complexity of treatment needs.

On the other hand, limited access to innovative treatments, both in terms of cost affordability and availability, remains a major barrier for patients in obtaining optimal care.