Battling Lung Cancer Away from Home: A Guide for Expats
Expats living in Indonesia face the challenge of adapting to a new environment and lifestyle, including exposure to unique health risks.
Among these, air pollution—a prevalent issue in many urban areas—poses a serious threat to respiratory health.
Combined with other factors such as widespread smoking habits and exposure to industrial pollutants, these conditions can significantly increase the risk of lung-related illnesses, including lung cancer.
The adjustment to such an environment requires awareness and proactive measures to safeguard one’s health.
Fortunately, Indonesia provides access to international-standard healthcare services equipped to address complex conditions like lung cancer.
Advanced diagnostic tools, cutting-edge treatment options, and a hospital with international-standard services offer reassurance for expats seeking quality care.
By staying informed and utilizing these healthcare resources, expats can better protect their well-being while navigating life in Indonesia, despite the environmental challenges they may face.
The Silent Killer: Symptoms Rarely Appear in Early Stages
As explained by Dr. Jaka Pradipta, Sp.P (K) Onk, a Oncology Pulmonologist at Mayapada Hospital Kuningan:
“Lung cancer is a silent killer, often asymptomatic at its early stages. More than 70 percent of lung cancer patients are diagnosed at an advanced stage.”
However, in some cases, lung cancer can be identified through symptoms such as prolonged coughing lasting more than two weeks, coughing when swallowing, shortness of breath, coughing up blood, wheezing, chest pain radiating to the shoulders and back, and hoarseness persisting for over two weeks.
Since not all lung cancers present symptoms, regular check-ups are necessary. Dr. Widhy Yudistira Nalapraya, Sp.P(K) Onk, a Oncology Pulmonologist at Mayapada Hospital Bandung, explains:
“Lung cancer detection can be done through X-rays, non-invasive Low Dose CT Scans (LDCT), sputum cytology to analyse cancer cells, or the gold standard procedure, biopsy. Biopsies involve sampling lung tissue for microscopic examination in a laboratory, and they are becoming increasingly advanced with new techniques such as Cryo Bronchoscopy, enabling more accurate lung cancer diagnoses.”
Advanced Methods for Diagnosing and Treating Lung Cancer
One of the latest innovations in pulmonary intervention is Bronchoscopic Cryotherapy, an advanced technique used to support biopsy procedures.
This method is available at facilities equipped with state-of-the-art medical technology at Mayapada Hospital.
Mayapada Hospital Jakarta Selatan has Dr. Eric Daniel Tenda, DIC, PhD, Sp.PD, K-PMK, FINASIM, Internal Medicine Specialist, PhD & Consultant in Interventional Pulmonology, who is capable of operating Bronchoscopy Cryotherapy. He explains:
“Bronchoscopy Cryotherapy is a pulmonary treatment technique using cryotherapy, supported by advanced electrosurgical units like the VIO3 and Argon Plasma Coagulation (APC) therapy. The cryo technique involves freezing tissue using CO2 gas, allowing it to adhere to the cryoprobe for sampling.”
Dr. Eric, who specializes in pulmonary intervention from Imperial College London, notes that Cryo Bronchoscopy is performed when a tumour or abnormality in the lungs is suspected.
This Cryo Bronchoscopy offers an advantage as the tissue samples obtained are significantly larger and more intact, resulting a greater diagnostic accuracy.
“Beyond aiding biopsy procedures, cryotherapy can be used for advanced lung cancer treatments such as Cryo-Devitalization to destroy cancer cells blocking airways and Cryo-Recanalization to clear airways obstructed by tumours or blood clots,” Dr. Eric added.
While early-stage lung cancer can be treated with minor lung tissue removal. Unfortunately, most cases in Indonesia are diagnosed at an advanced stage.
Comprehensive Treatment Options
Thanks to advancements in medical science, various treatments for lung cancer are now available, including:
- Surgery: to remove all the cancer from the body. Types of surgery will depend on the tumor location and your condition.
- Chemotherapy: As part of systemic treatment, drugs will be administered via intravenous infusion to kill all high proliferated cells like cancer cells, including normal cells like hair cells.
- Targeted Therapy: newer systemic treatment compared to chemotherapy that uses drugs to target cancer cells without harming healthy cells (more targeted).
- Immunotherapy: latest systemic treatment that use drugs to help our own immune system to recognize and kill cancer cells.
- Radiation Therapy: uses high radiation X-rays to damage cancer cells, they either die or stop making new cancer cells.
Mayapada Hospital: A Leader in Advanced Lung Cancer Treatment
Given the potential risks of lung cancer in Indonesia due to environmental and lifestyle factors, expats need to know where to access comprehensive pulmonary care.
Mayapada Hospital provides international-standard healthcare services with its one-stop-service Oncology Center, offering early detection, diagnosis, treatment, ongoing therapy, and end-of-life care. Its multidisciplinary team includes experts such as Dr. Jaka, Dr. Widhy, and Dr. Eric, who are skilled in advanced interventional pulmonology procedures like Bronchoscopy Cryotherapy.
The flagship unit, Mayapada Hospital Jakarta Selatan, holds Joint Commission International (JCI) accreditation—the highest global standard for healthcare institutions.
With its strict service protocols, the Oncology Center Mayapada Hospital features an active Tumour Board that devises accurate, up-to-date treatment plans and a Patient Navigator team of experienced doctors and nurses to guide patients through every step of their care journey.
Expats can consult with doctors at the Oncology Center Mayapada Hospital for lung cancer screenings, including LDCT or Cryo Bronchoscopy, through Mayapada Hospital’s MyCare app. The app allows users to book appointments, schedule screenings, and access emergency services.
Success stories from the Oncology Center Mayapada Hospital are also available on the Health Article & Tips feature of the MyCare app.
The app can be downloaded from Google Play Store and the App Store, offering reward points for first-time registration, redeemable for discounts on Mayapada Hospital services.
For more information or to book a consultation with a doctor, click "Book Appointment" / "Find Doctor" or call our Call Center at 150770.
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Mayapada Healthcare Indo Expat