In Indonesia, cervical and breast cancer together are the most common forms of cancer among women. There is limited treatment available, and as a result many women die an unnecessary death. Early detection is vital and can keep the most vulnerable, poor and uneducated women healthy.
Meanwhile, in cooperation with our experienced partners at the University of Indonesia, the Indonesian Cancer Foundation and various women's organizations, the Female Cancer Program (FCP) has been successfully introduced and transferred to local health authorities as much as possible.
From a solid base, expansion to the most vulnerable areas
Since the start in 2004, thousands of health workers have been trained, communities educated, women screened and if necessary preventively treated. From this solid base, we are introducing the programme to even more vulnerable regions. With training and under the supervision of the See & Treat experts from the Female Cancer Programme in Jakarta, the Female Cancer Foundation is thus striving to expand the 'oil spot' even further.
FCP Lombok & Sumbawa
In cooperation with the University Hospital in Mataram, FCF started the See & Treat programme on Lombok in 2013. The Jakarta team trained and supervised the start. Now the Lombok project is running for almost four years, thousands of women are being educated and screened each year and treated if necessary. If abnormalities are found, the women go home healthy after preventive treatment. This improves confidence in medical care and strengthens the position of women. Since 2016, the Lombok team has expanded its activities to the neighbouring Sumbawa island.
This project was made possible by donations from Achmea Foundation, ASN Foundation, Triodos Foundation, Protest and many donors.
FCP Sorong & Ende
In March 2015, the Jakarta team in collaboration with the universities of Ende and Sorong and the Ministry of Health launched the expansion of the FCP to as many areas in Indonesia as possible. In the period 2007-2011, the See & Treat method was introduced in seven regions in Indonesia (Medan, Bali, Manado, Jakarta, Tasikmalaya, Surabaya, Banjarmasin) with the help of MFS funding from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. More than one million women have been educated, more than 225,000 women have been screened and treated if necessary, and thousands of health workers have been trained in cervical cancer prevention. In addition to the good numerical results, much has been achieved in terms of the sustainable embedding of the See & Treat concept in primary health care. The experience gained is used in the new regions.
For example, two new projects started in 2015 with initial training of the Jakarta team; FCP Flores and FCP Papua.
FCP Batam & Aceh
In 2017, the FCP was introduced - at the special request of the Ministry of Health - to the regions of Batam and Aceh. Due to changed regulations on prostitution in Singapore, sex tourism is on the rise in nearby Batam, this attracts many female sex workers. An increased incidence of cervical cancer is expected in time, because this group runs a higher risk of being infected by the HPV virus that can cause the disease. The See & Treat method can prevent this relatively easily and cheaply.
Centre of Excellence
A Centre of Excellence has been developed in cooperation with the Medical Faculty of the University of Indonesia and LUMC. Education and knowledge exchange on and research into comprehensive cancer care and the sustainability of our programme are central to this programme.