Cancer Chemoprevention Research Center (CCRC), Faculty of Pharmacy Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) along with several universities in Indonesia declared the establishment of the Indonesian Cancer Chemoprevention Experts Association (PAKKI). Besides UGM, 13 universities in Indonesia, among others, ITB, UI, Airlangga University, University of Hasanuddin, Andalas University, Universitas Pancasila, YARSI University, Tanjungpura University, and UNY, also attended the declaration that was held on Wednesday (12/5) in the Faculty of Pharmacy. In that occasion, also seen attending the declaration were researchers from several universities, representatives of LIPI, Stem Cell Institute (ISC), and BPPT.
Dr. Edy Meiyanto, M.Si, Apt., Chairman of the CCRC Faculty of Pharmacy UGM mentioned that the PAKKI was established on the background of increased number of cancer patients in Indonesia every year. Basic health research database reported by Ministry of Health (2007) showed that tumor prevalence in Indonesia amounted to 4.3 per 1000 population. Meanwhile, the WHO data (2009) showed that 70% of the total deaths from cancer occurred in countries with middle to low per capita income, one of them is Indonesia. Thus, according to Edy, the cancer prevention efforts become an important agenda at the moment.
He added that various efforts in cancer treatment have been performed intensively, either through surgery, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy. However, these efforts have not been able to effectively cope with cancer. Research on use of natural/synthetic and biological agents to recognize, prevent, and suppress the development of cancer frominitiation up to the invasion stage as well as the return stage to the normal function of cells, or which often referred to as cancer chemoprevention, develops in line with efforts to solve the problem in treating this disease. "The scientific data on the prevention of
cancer and how to suppress cancer growth indicates that the new chemoprevention is a very rational new strategy in the future," said the man was appointed Chairman of the Executive Committee of PAKKI.
Further he said, with the establishment of PAKKI, it is expected to become the reference institution of education, research, and resources development in the field of cancer chemoprevention in Indonesia. In addition, PAKKI can also be a medium for delivering information, communication, and education for researchers in the field of cancer chemoprevention. “Cancer chemoprevention is also highly expected to be the basis of recommendations that can be accepted by the medication formal system in the treatment of cancer in the future," he explained.