There Are 36 Thousand New Cases Of Cervical Cancer, Ministry Of Health Emphasizes The Importance Of Vaccines And Screening

Director of Non-Infectious Diseases (PTM) of the Ministry of Health, Siti Nadia Tarmizi, during a press conference on Reaffirmation of the Commitment to Elimination of Cervical Cancer, in the Kuningan area, South Jakarta (Yesica/VOI)

JAKARTA - Cervical cancer is the second-highest contributor to death in women in Indonesia, after breast cancer. Every year, there are more than 36 thousand new cases of cervical cancer detected.

Ironically, about 70 percent of these cases were only discovered after advanced conditions. This is what makes the Indonesian Ministry of Health (Kemenkes) further emphasize the importance of vaccines and early screening to reduce the number of cervical cancer cases in Indonesia.

"The cervical cancer is the only cancer that can be prevented and cured. The sooner we find it, the higher the cure rate," said the Director of Non-Infectious Diseases (PTM) of the Ministry of Health, Siti Nadia Tarmizi, during a press conference on the Reaffirmation of Cervical Cancer Elimination Commitment, in the Kuningan area, South Jakarta, on Thursday, April 24, 2025.

"With a combination of vaccines and screening, we can keep all levels of the group in achieving cervical cancer elimination," he added.

As is known, various types of human papillomavirus or HPV, act as the biggest trigger for cervical cancer. HPV is a common infection that is transmitted through sexual intercourse, skin-to-skin contact in the genital area, sharing sex devices, mother-to-child transmission, to contact with polluted surfaces.

When exposed to HVP, the immune system usually prevents the virus from harming. However, in some people, this virus survives for years and contributes to a process that causes some cervical cells to become cancer cells.

Therefore, early screening is very necessary to find out about HPV infections and prevent cervical cancer. Chairman of the Indonesian Clinical Pathology Specialist Association (PDS PatKLin), Aryati, highlighted the importance of accurate and quality diagnostic tests to encourage the screening rate of cervical cancer in Indonesia.

"Diagnostics have an important role in maintaining the quality of national health services. When this treatment is carried out as early as possible, the chances of life can reach 20 years and over," he explained.

The Indonesian Ministry of Health together with the Indonesian Health Economist IKATAN (IEKI) are working with The Asia-Pacific Women's Cancer Coalition (APAC WCC) to accelerate the elimination of cervical cancer through the expansion of HPV DNA screening and IVA tests in various regions. This collaboration targets an increase in screening coverage of up to 75 percent by 2030.

Meanwhile, vaccines are prioritized in groups of girls and boys aged 15 years targeted for HPV vaccination. This vaccination program will also be further expanded in the future.