In Commemoration of Mother's Day, It's Time to Increase Awareness to Protect the Future of Maternal and Women's Health
JAKARTA - National Mother's Day is a moment for Indonesia to celebrate the spirit, empowerment, and resilience of a woman. More than just a celebration, it is also a reminder for women to take a moment and prioritize their own health in the long run. By taking preventive health care steps, Indonesian women can not only maintain their body condition to stay in good condition, but also continue to work and live a quality life with their beloved family.
As education and awareness about health increase, women throughout Indonesia are now more proactive in carrying out preventive health care to anticipate the risk of disease - especially in responding to concerns about the increasing incidence of cancer in women. Indonesia continues to report cancer as one of the highest disease case rates in women in the Asian region, with breast cancer, cervical cancer, and colorectal cancer as the most common types of cancer found. Data from the Global Cancer Observatory continues to show a trend of increasing cancer cases in Indonesia, where in 2022, there were 408,661 cases and 242,988 deaths, which increased compared to 2018 which recorded 348,809 cases and 207,210 deaths. These figures show a real spike, both in the number of cases and the death rate over the four-year period.
This fact makes early detection a preventive step that needs to be prioritized, as well as an important concern for every woman who wants more optimal health outcomes. Responding to this need, IHH Healthcare Singapore, which oversees a network of renowned hospitals such as Mount Elizabeth and Gleneagles, is present to support Indonesian women through the provision of modern and personalized health screening solutions.
IHH Healthcare Singapore's Personal Approach to Breast Cancer Prevention for Women
As one of the leading private healthcare providers in Asia, IHH Healthcare Singapore recommends clinical genetic testing to help patients make the right decisions regarding early detection and prevention of cancer. Clinical germline genetic testing conducted with the accompaniment of genetic counseling can detect inherited mutations that have the potential to increase the lifetime cancer risk of patients. This method is a very important step, especially for women who have a history of cancer personally or from the family line.
"Tests like this are more for building awareness and not for creating fear of the disease," said Dr. Lynette Ngo, Senior Consultant Medical Oncologist at the Centre for Genomic Health, Mount Elizabeth Novena Hospital. "Genetic tests do not predict cancer, but can clarify whether a person carries a genetic risk. Knowing the genetic predisposition allows us to develop a personalized risk treatment plan. This plan can include more targeted in-depth examinations, regular monitoring by specialists, and the application of medically proven healthy lifestyles - without having to wait until symptoms appear. The information at the beginning of this test helps detect potential problems much faster, thus providing the best prevention opportunities for women and their families."
Dr. Lynette Ngo added, "If test results show a higher risk, we can immediately plan the next steps quickly with the patient, which may include more targeted imaging, joint supervision of the appropriate specialists, and other necessary risk reduction strategies."
However, many cases of cancer occur without a known family history and may not have screening programs that are generally available. This is where Multi-Cancer Early Detection (MCED) technology plays an important role. MCED is a new screening method designed to detect potential cancer signals with only one blood sample, while identifying from which tissue the cancer may have originated. This technology offers a wider option for women who want to prioritize cancer prevention. This test is especially recommended for asymptomatic adults aged 40 years and over, and should be performed as part of a preventive health service plan guided by a doctor, taking into account the patient's risk factors, values, and personal preferences.
"However, it needs to be emphasized that MCED should be positioned as a complementary test only," said Dr. Ngo. "This test should not replace standard examinations that have been recommended in medical guidelines, such as mammography or cervical examinations. The presence of this test is actually to complement the existing methods, by providing an early detection layer as an addition to types of cancer that do not have standard examination options. "
Preventive Health Services: A Valuable Investment that Empowers Women
On this year's National Mother's Day, IHH Healthcare Singapore invites women in Indonesia to start looking for information and taking preventive measures. This is a very beneficial form of investment, which can provide important insights to ensure well-being and more targeted personal health planning.
"As a mother, I understand how easy it is for women to put aside their own health," said Sherrie Lim, CEO of Mount Elizabeth Novena Hospital. "Early detection can have a tremendous impact, not only on the outcome of treatment, but also provides peace of mind for a mother. Methods such as genetic testing and MCED allow women to take proactive steps, without having to wait until symptoms appear. At Mount Elizabeth Novena Hospital, we want women to feel fully supported through easily accessible service options and proven options, which can keep them healthy for themselves and their loved ones. "
By utilizing modern preventive technologies such as clinical genetic tests and MCED, Indonesian women have the opportunity to change their mindset - from just treating when they are sick (reactive) to maintaining health before they are sick (proactive), which can increase health opportunities through early detection, proper treatment, and a healthier future.