JAKARTA, KOMPAS.TV – The death rate from lung cancer in Indonesia is increasing, but access to treatment is not yet well available.
This was conveyed in a discussion to commemorate Lung Cancer Awareness Month organized by the Indonesian National Movement for Lung Cancer Care (IPKP), Tuesday (23/11/2021).
According to the 2020 Global Cancer Observation (GLOBOCAN) data, the death rate from lung cancer in Indonesia increased 18 percent to 30,843. Meanwhile, new cases in 2020 reached 34,783.
Death from lung cancer is the highest among other types of cancer, both in Indonesia and throughout the world. However, access to treatment for lung cancer is not yet available.
According to BPJS financial reports in 2019, only 3 percent of the National Health Insurance (JKN) funds were allocated for cancer treatment.
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JKN has just guaranteed personalized/innovative treatment for lung cancer survivors with mutation types epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) positive.
In fact, according to dr. Sita Laksmi Andarini, a member of the thoracic oncology working group of the Indonesian Lung Doctors Association (PDPI), almost 60 percent of lung cancer survivors in Indonesia have negative EGFR mutations that require other treatment.
“Currently, treatments that work specifically according to the type of lung cancer are available both for survivors with mutations epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) positive or negative in accordance with international guidelines, including surgery, chemotherapy, targeted therapy and immunotherapy,” said Sita in a release received Compass TV.
One of the treatments that can be taken by lung cancer survivors with positive EGFR mutations is immunotherapy. Immunotherapy is expected to increase the hope and quality of life of lung cancer survivors.
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