"There must be a political will from the government, and a presidential decree that necessitates the community to undergo screening for early detection of cancer," Kadir remarked at a seminar on Protection of the Rights of Women Cancer Patients on Quality Health Service Access in the JKN Era, here on Thursday.
Kadir requested that a presidential decree be issued that necessitates the community to undergo screening for cancer prevention and early detection.
"There must be a law in place that requires all women over 30 years of age and have had sexual contact to undergo a Pap smear test at least once a year. Men aged 30 years and over are required to go for x-ray examinations to check for presence of lung cancer. It must be a law or at least a presidential decree must be put in place," he stated, adding that cancer treatment requires a large amount of money.
He noted that cancer is a disease, with the highest cost of treatment after heart disease and vascular disease.
Even the high costs incurred often fail to save the patient, as it is too late to be handled.
"Patients coming to Dharmais Cancer Hospital have an average stage 3 and 4 cancer," he noted.
To this end, he called for the cancer treatment paradigm to be changed, from treatment to prevention.
Kadir believes that preventive measures will greatly reduce the cost of treatment and increase the possibility of patients` recovery.
Preventive treatment is carried out by conducting early detection and screening of patients.
"If all people are aware of undergoing screening for early detection, then cancer will be detected in the early stages. If the stage is early, surgery can ensure full recovery, as the lower the stage, the survival rate will be higher," he stated.
Furthermore, he added that with early detection, patients can reduce their medical expenses by 61 percent as compared to those with advanced stage of cancer.
"The Ministry of Health is currently attempting to change the health paradigm. Early detection and screening must be encouraged. Prevent cancer from occurring," the director of Dharmais Cancer Hospital stated.
Reporting by Anita Permata Dewi
Editing by Otniel Tamindael, Fardah Assegaf
Reporter: Antara
Editor: Suharto
Copyright © ANTARA 2018
