Indonesia adds colon cancer screening to free health checkup program
“Our multi-layered approach begins with the Asia Pacific colorectal screening questionnaire, followed by a digital rectal exam and a fecal occult blood test (FOBT) for high-risk individuals,” Deputy Minister of Health Dante Saksono Harbuwono said on Saturday.
He acknowledged that colorectal cancer is a national health challenge, as the majority of patients present to health facilities in advanced stages.
“If 100 colorectal cancer patients come to our health facilities today, more than 70 of them will arrive in advanced stages. This is not because they are negligent, not because the disease is untreatable, but because no one detects it early enough,” he added.
Harbuwono emphasized that colorectal cancer is a pressing global oncology issue, with at least 1.9 million new cases recorded each year, making it the third most common cancer worldwide.
In Indonesia, colorectal cancer ranks fourth in incidence and is the fifth leading cause of cancer-related deaths, resulting in more than 19,000 fatalities annually.
Of the five million participants who have undergone screening, his team found 9,000 positive results through digital rectal exams and 2,000 positive results through FOBT tests.
These figures reflect only individuals who completed the screening process.
Meanwhile, the Director of Non-Communicable Diseases at the Health Ministry, Siti Nadia Tarmizi, stated that cancer treatment, including for colorectal cancer, is currently covered by the national health insurance program, BPJS Kesehatan. However, she noted that not all drugs used for cancer treatment are covered.
“But there are certain drugs, perhaps targeted therapy. Targeted therapy is usually for metastases, those that have spread everywhere. Perhaps not all of them are covered by BPJS because they are expensive,” she said.
Therefore, she urged the public to take preventive measures by adopting a healthy lifestyle and consuming plenty of fruits and vegetables. She added that the government will continue to educate the public about this cancer.
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Translator: Arie Novarina