Health Information Center – CedrikaProvencher

Cancer has now become a central issue in several countries in Asia. In some countries, even the cancer has become the number one cause of death. Therefore, cancer prevention should be a priority.

The remark was made Malcolm A Moore of the International Union Against Cancer Asian Regional Office for Cancer Control at the National Seminar on Cancer Management in Indonesia in Jakarta Dharmais Cancer Hospital, Monday (10/11).

National seminar about cancer was held to commemorate the 15th Anniversary Dharmais Cancer Hospital.

According to Committee Chairman Dr Abidin Widjanarko Seminar, World Health Organization (WHO) has predicted that cancer will become the number one killer in the year 2030. This fact can be seen from the increase in the average number of deaths each year, significantly increasing the number of smokers are 57 million people, the number of people who consume alcohol and the number of people suffering from obesity.

Today, various sectors such as universities, education in the hospital, professional affiliation and NGOs need to work together tackling cancer.
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Until now, cancer is still a scary specter. In fact, nearly 40 percent of cancers could be prevented if we want to stop smoking, reduce alcohol, do not overeat, exercise regularly, and got the vaccine prevention of infection.

Preventive measures was expressed by the experts in the framework of the World Cancer Day. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), one of eight deaths a day caused by cancer. The amount is more than AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria. WHO warned, without any change, cancer deaths worldwide could reach 17 million by 2030 from 7.6 million today.

In a report launched the International Union Against Cancer, the experts revealed that 21 percent of all cancers caused by infection, such as the HPV virus that causes cervical cancer and hepatitis infections that cause liver cancer.

We have been cancer-preventing vaccine available, but only available in developed countries. No wonder 80 percent of deaths from cervical cancer occur in poor and developing countries.

“Policymakers around the world have the opportunity and obligation to make a vaccine to save the lives of many people. They also need to be campaigning for lifestyle changes to reduce cancer risk,” Cary said Adam, Chairman of the International Union Against Cancer, in press release.

Experts argue, common cancers suffered by people in developed countries, such as lung cancer, breast, and colon cancer, could have been prevented if they want to change his lifestyle.

Prostate cancer is the most common cancer among men aged more than 50 years. This cancer rarely attack men under 45 years unless it is among families with a history of this disease.

Healthy lifestyle coupled with nutritious diet and exercise is the most effective way to ward off cancer, which until now has not known the cause of this. Although still controversial, one of the myths that many believed to reduce the risk of this cancer is the frequency of sex that often.

Many doctors observed that the man was fit for regular exercise and frequent sexual intercourse rarely have prostate problems. Scholars who support this theory also says ejaculate expenditure will make the channel in the penis is not clogged.

A study published in The British Journal of Urology found that sexual activity of males between the ages of 50 years can provide protection from this disease. “This is due to release of toxins that accumulate during sexual activity can reduce the risk of developing prostate cancer in the region,” said Polyxeni Dimitropoulou who led the study. However, it needs further study.

skin color can affect a person’s risk of skin cancer and photoaging (aging from the sun). Skin damage from ultraviolet rays include wrinkles, pigmentation, and skin becomes rough.

The following classification of skin according to The Fitzpatrick Classification of Skin Type, which consists of six categories:

1. Always burns, never be more dark, brown (pale skin, white).

2. Flammable, in menimal brown (white).

3. Simply burn, to brown them evenly (tan leather).

4. Burns minimally, always tan well (brown leather).

5. Rarely burns, with clear brown (dark brown skin).

6. Never burn (the skin pigment that contains dark brown to black).

People with skin type 1 usually have pale skin, white, red or blond hair, green eyes or blue, and the descendants of Celtic (Irish, Scottish, Welsh, or Breton). People with this skin type’s most high-risk of experiencing a variety of skin problems due to exposure to sunlight, including skin cancer and photoaging.

People with type 2 and 3 have white skin with pigmentation more clearly, and have moderate to high risk for skin problems from the sun.

While they were with the type 4 and 5 have an olive skin color to brown, and moderate to low risk for experiencing skin problems. Type 6 is the skin of those who have dark brown to black. The risk of this skin type to skin problems from the sun is only minimum.

Cancer is a frightening specter for the Indonesian people. The wrong perception about this disease is still a major constraint in addressing this deadly disease.

“People still perceive cancer as a deadly disease, an incurable, and can not be prevented and a high cost for treatment,” said Director General of Disease Control and Environmental Health (P2PL) Ministry of Health, Prof. Tjandra Yoga Aditama, in his statement welcoming Cancer Day fell worldwide on Thursday (4/2/2010) it.

According to Tjandra, wrong perception about the cancer can not be separated from the still lack of public awareness and lack of information about the disease and how to prevent it.

“There are still many problems and obstacles faced, such as lack of information about cancer to the public, the public perception of cancer that is not true as incurable cancer, a shameful disease, and believe in the occult in the treatment of cancer. In addition, the lack of public awareness in preventing cancer as early as possible. On the program, the cancer has not become a priority, especially in the area, “said Tjandra.

Cancer and tumors, continued Tjandra, acknowledged was still a top killer diseases in Indonesia. Based on data from Basic Health Research (Riskesdas) 2008, the tumor / cancer is the leading cause of death no. 7 in Indonesia with 5.7 percent presentation. Riskesdas 2008 data also showed that the prevalence of tumor / cancer in Indonesia is 4.3 per 1000 population.

Breast and cervical cancer, the highest
Among the many types, continued Tjandra, cancer most commonly found in Indonesia is a case of cancer of female breast cancer and cervical cancer. Based on data from Hospital Information System (SIRS) in 2007, breast cancer cases recorded at 8227 (16.85 percent) and 5786 breast cancer cases (11.78 percent). While the highest cancer in males is lung cancer incidence with an estimated 20 per 100,000 men (GLOBOCAN, IARC 2002). According to SIRS 2007, cases of bronchus and lung cancer were 2847 cases (5.8%)

Currently, Tjandra said, efforts to control the number of cancer patients is by way of education and prevention “of cancer control efforts are effectively done is to provide information to the widest public that cancer can be prevented, by knowing the risk factors and to primary prevention, secondary, and tertiary integrated, “he said.

MOH also try to decrease morbidity and mortality of cancer in Indonesia through the programs measured. We have given priority cancer control program at the highest cancer of cervix cancer and breast with the formation of early detection of the pilot projects in 6 provinces (6th district) and its development until the currently running in 11 districts / cities, using the method of Visual Inspection with Acetic Acid (VIA ) and Clinical Breast Examination (CBE).

“The program of early detection of cervical cancer and breast cancer have a target of 80 per cent of women aged 30-50 years for the screening which is expected to avoid both these cancers. In the year 2014 Ministry of Health target of 25 percent districts in Indonesia will implement early detection of cervical cancer with IVA and breast cancer by CBE, “said Tjandra.