These Are the Most Common Types of Cancer Among Indonesians

Cancer is one of the biggest health problems in Indonesia and the second leading cause of death after cardiovascular disease. The Global Burden of Cancer Study (Globocan) from the World Health Organization (WHO) recorded a total of 396,914 cancer cases and 234,511 deaths in Indonesia in 2020.

Breast cancer had the highest number of new cases in Indonesia, with 65,858 cases or 16.6% of the total 396,914 cancer cases. Cervical cancer was second with 36,633 cases (9.2% of the total).

Lung cancer followed in third place with 34,783 cases (8.8% of the total), followed by liver cancer with 21,392 cases (5.4% of the total), and nasopharyngeal cancer (area at the upper back of the throat) with 19,943 cases (5% of the total).

(Read More: [NTB had the highest morbidity rate in Indonesia in 2020](https://databoks.katadata.co.id/datapublish/2021/06/10/ntb-miliki-angka-kesakitan-tertinggi-di-indonesia-pada-2020))

According to the Indonesian Cancer Foundation (YKI), one of the causes of the high number of cancer cases in Indonesia is the environmental conditions that continuously produce carcinogens, such as cigarettes, processed meat, etc. Other contributing factors include habits like staying up late, lack of exercise, and overeating.

As a form of cancer prevention and control in Indonesia, particularly breast and cervical cancer, the Ministry of Health has implemented several measures such as early detection of breast and cervical cancer in women aged 30-50 years using Clinical Breast Examination (SADANIS) and Visual Inspection with Acetic Acid (IVA).