Breast ultrasound screening in Cengkareng boosts early detection awareness

Jakarta (ANTARA) - As many as 150 mothers took part in a breast cancer early detection programme and breast ultrasound examination in Cengkareng Subdistrict, West Jakarta, in an effort to raise awareness of the importance of health checks to prevent delays in treating the disease.

The event was a collaboration between the Indonesian Women’s Professional Business Federation (FBPWI), PT Siloam International Hospitals Tbk and Klinik Pratama Keluarga.

The committee chairperson, Dr Brenda, said the event was held to commemorate National Children’s Day with the theme “Healthy for Children, Caring for Mothers”, which also coincided with National Kebaya Day.

“Why are these two commemorations so relevant? Because healthy children begin with healthy mothers. A mother is the first school for her children, where they learn about love, resilience and hope. Protecting a mother’s health means protecting the future of the family, and even the future of the nation,” she said in Jakarta on Thursday.

She added that the kebaya is not merely traditional attire; it is a symbol of the identity, strength and dignity of Indonesian women, handed down from generation to generation as part of the nation’s culture.

“We also want to pass on a culture of healthy living to Indonesian women — a culture of not being afraid to undergo examinations, not postponing early detection, and reminding one another that health is a form of love for ourselves and for our families,” she concluded.

Brenda expressed appreciation to the medical staff, sponsors and the entire committee whose participation made the event a success.

“We hope that through today’s education and the ultrasound examinations to be undertaken by participants, more and more women will understand that early detection can save lives. Our hope is that no more women come too late for check-ups and information,” she said.

FBPWI President Giwo Rubianto Wiyogo said this was the second such event organised by the federation together with its collaborators.

“Today there are some 150 mothers, or more, being examined to detect breast cancer early. This is the second such event,” she said.

She noted that nearly 1,000 residents have now been screened. “The number is almost 1,000 with breast ultrasound examinations,” she said.

According to Giwo, detecting breast cancer early can save more than 90 per cent of lives, in terms of survival rates.

She further said early breast cancer screening is extremely important, which is why her organisation and its collaborators continue to educate and raise awareness about breast cancer.

“We keep spreading the message that breast cancer can be deadly. With more than 66,000 new cases each year, the death toll can reach 22,000,” she said.

Therefore, she continued, education and early detection of breast cancer are vital for the health of mothers and children.

“Who will educate, care for and nurture the children into the nation’s next generation, and even play an important role in this nation’s development? Mothers. Because a mother is the first and foremost educator for her children,” Giwo said.

Meanwhile, the Deputy Head of Cengkareng Subdistrict, Iswandi, expressed appreciation for the event.

“Mothers are the first place of learning for their children. Moreover, we hope that by 2045 we will have created a golden generation, so this is certainly a big homework for all of us — that our children must be prepared starting now,” he said.

“I hope that through activities like this, especially early detection for mothers, they will become better informed. Prevention is better than cure. Come on, mothers, stay enthusiastic,” he said.