Breast Cancer Is Most Common Cancer Type In Indonesia : Foundation

JAKARTA, Sept 8 (Antara) - Breast cancer is the most common type of the disease among both outpatients and inpatients in all hospitals in Indonesia, according to Head of the Indonesian Breast Cancer Foundation Linda Gumelar. "In 2010, the number of breast cancer patients constituted 28.7 percent of the total people suffering from cancer," Gumelar stated before opening a discussion panel named "Implementation of National Health Insurance in Ensuring Service to Child and Breast Cancer Patients" in Jakarta, Wednesday. Gumelar pointed out that the prevalence of cancer in Indonesia is rather high. According to the Basic Health Research 2013, the occurrence of cancer in Indonesia is 1.4 out of every one thousand citizens, or approximately 347 thousand people. Across the world, 8.2 million people die of cancer every year, an increase from 7.6 million in 2008. This figure is expected to rise further, reaching 11.5 million by 2025, if no effective preventive and handling measures are applied. "In Indonesia, new breast cancer cases are being reported, with the highest mortality rate of 21.5 per 100 thousand cases. What is concerning is the fact that 70 percent of breast cancer patients would only visit health facilities in advanced stages of the disease," she revealed. To this end, Gumelar stated that the National Health Insurance Program, managed by the Social Security Administrator, is especially important for cancer patients, despite the need for improvement and advancement in the second year of its operations. "Cancer treatment can take a relatively long time. It is also challenging and not affordable at the same time. In the near future, we hope to see some policies and regulations that will cater more to cancer sufferers who use the National Health Insurance Program accompanied by an uncomplicated and friendly service," she remarked. The Breast Cancer Foundation and Child Oncology Foundation held a panel discussion called "Implementation of National Health Insurance in Ensuring Service to Child and Breast Cancer Patients" at the Presidential Hospital Auditorium in Gatot Subroto, Jakarta.