PORTALJABAR, BANDUNG CITY - The Bandung City Government provides free early cancer detection services at community health centers to increase the community's chances of recovery to more than 90 percent (24/6/2026).

This information was conveyed in the Sonata Talkshow with the theme Bandung Towards a Cancer-Responsive City, which featured legislative elements and health workers.

Member of Commission IV of the Bandung City Regional People's Representative Council, Agung Firmansyah Sumantri, explained that early detection is the main factor in successful cancer treatment.

According to him, patients diagnosed at an early stage have a much higher chance of survival and recovery than those diagnosed at an advanced stage.

"We know about benign and malignant tumors. Any cell that grows outside of normal limits is called a tumor, but malignant ones are called cancer," Agung said.

He said that cancer treatment results would be better if the disease was detected at an early stage through routine examinations.

"If detected at stage one, treatment outcomes are much better than at stages three or four. Life expectancy is also higher," he said.

Head of Disease Prevention and Control at the Bandung City Health Office, Dadan Mulyana Kosasih, said that various screening services are available free of charge at community health centers.

For women, early detection of cervical cancer can be done through IVA Test and HPV DNA examination.

The public can also utilize Sadari and Sadanis services to detect breast cancer early.

As many as 60 community health centers in Bandung City have the capability to perform breast ultrasound examinations to support further screening.

"For breast cancer, all community health centers in Bandung City have screening services that support early detection. In fact, 60 community health centers are able to perform breast ultrasounds to help confirm suspicious lumps," explained Dadan.

The Bandung City Health Office also provides childhood cancer screening, hepatitis B and C examinations, and colorectal cancer detection.

These various services have been integrated into the Free Health Check program which can be utilized by the public.

"All the facilities and media are already there. The public just needs to come and use them. The sooner it's discovered, the greater the chance of recovery," he said.

Dadan said that almost all types of cancer have a high chance of being cured if they are detected in the early stages of disease development.

"If all types of cancer are detected in the early stages, the cure rate can be over 90 percent. The challenge is early detection," said Dadan.

In addition to health checks, the government also carries out Human Papillomavirus or HPV vaccinations to prevent cervical cancer.

The vaccination program is provided free of charge to female students according to the target group in the national immunization program.

The Bandung City Government continues to encourage the public to utilize health services so that diseases can be detected more quickly and treated optimally.

"Don't wait until you're sick to get checked. Early detection is a health investment that can save lives," said Dadan.

(Bandung City Communications and Information Service/bhf)