Sexual promiscuity may cause cancer: Experts

JAKARTA (JP): Doctors at the Dharmais Cancer Hospital strongly advised couples to remain sexually faithful to avoid contracting one of the five most deadly forms of cancer in the country.

Dr. Boyke Dian Nugraha revealed yesterday that sexual promiscuity may lead to a deadly cancerous condition and women are especially vulnerable.

"A promiscuous lifestyle leads to a high risk of contracting uterus cancer," he said.

Boyke said that in studies conducted abroad, tests have shown the incidence uterus cancer is twice as high in women who are sexually active with more than one partner.

He went on to explain that the acidity level of semen in a male's sperm differ from one man to the next, causing the uterus to consistently adapt.

Due to the level of ignorance prevailing on such matters, the Dharmais hospital thus feels it is necessary to educate society on preventive measures of cancer.

"About 40 percent of all patients treated at the hospital cannot be saved since they are already in terminal condition," said Dharmais hospital's vice-director Dr. Sofyan Sahbuddin.

Because of the high death rate Sofyan advocates the need for preventive measures rather than curative ones.

For this purpose the Dharmais hospital on May 7th will hold a one-day seminar titled "Sexual Behavior, Lifestyle and Cancer".

Cancer is currently Indonesia's sixth most potent killer with an estimated 100 new patients every year.

The five common cancer cases found in Indonesia is cancer of the cervix of the uterus (18.4 percent), breast cancer (11.6 percent), skin cancer (8.2 percent), throat & mouth cancer (6.1 percent) and cancer of the ovarium (5 percent).

Sofyan said besides being sexually loyal to one partner, women should also not marry too young, pointing out that the still young female ovaries are vulnerable to cancer.

Next Saturday' seminar will include cancerologists and notable speakers such as Prof. Dr. Jacques Lazar, La Rose, Niniek L. Karim and Poppy Dharsono. (07)