Pasangkayu, 14 September 2024 – PT Mamuang, an Astra Agro group oil palm plantation company, is collaborating with LovePink to combat the spread of breast cancer in West Sulawesi.
During a breast cancer prevention awareness event organized by PT Mamuang, a woman dressed in shades of pink, expressed her concern about a lump in her breast. She expressed her worry during the socialisation of early detection of breast cancer prevention organised by PT Mamuang, an Astra Agro group oil palm plantation company operating in Pasangkayu Regency, West Sulawesi.
“It turned out that she was not alone in her anxiety. Several other mothers also had the same concerns and shared their stories during the activity.
According to data presented by the Head of the Pasangkayu District Health Office, Dr. Rukman, out of the 25,459 women targeted, only about 0.7 percent had undergone early detection of breast cancer. Among those, 19 cases were detected as positive for breast cancer throughout 2024. This highlights the importance of raising awareness about early detection of breast cancer, especially in Pasangkayu Regency.”
The Head of the Polyclinic of PT Lestari Tani Teladan (LTT), Dr. Lydia, who served as a moderator in the activity, revealed that there are still many negative stigmas surrounding breast cancer patients in rural communities. These stigmas include feelings of disgrace that lead to judgment of the patient’s past action.
The patient’s reluctance to perform self-checks is causing delays in the early detection and treatment of breast cancer, which could have been prevented from advancing to a later stage.
Meanwhile, Nyoman Christiany Yudha and Ina Indrayati, speakers from LovePink and breast cancer survivors, mentioned that 70% of breast cancer patients in Indonesia are already at an advanced stage when they consult a doctor. In contrast, Ina noted that in Singapore, there is a high level of awareness about early detection of breast cancer, resulting in most patients being diagnosed at an early stage.
On Thursday, 12/9/2024, PT Mamuang, in collaboration with the Daya Dara Indonesia Foundation (LovePink), organized a socialization event to raise awareness about early detection and prevention of breast cancer. The event was opened by the Regent of Pasangkayu, H. Yaumil Ambo Djiwa. Additionally, the event included information about efforts to prevent stunting in the first 1,000 days of life, presented by nutritionists from the Pedongga Health Centre in Pasangkayu Regency.
“This event demonstrates the company’s and government’s commitment to public health, particularly in addressing breast cancer and preventing stunting in children,” stated the Regent of Pasangkayu in his address.
The event was attended by Pasangkayu DPRD member Saifuddin A. Baso, Head of the Pasangkayu District Health Office, Dr. Rukman, Head of the Population Control, Family Planning, Women’s Empowerment and Child Protection Office (P2KBP3A) of Pasangkayu Regency, Suri Fitriah, Administrator of PT Mamuang M Satria Abdi Catur Pamungkas and employees, mothers of employees’ wives association (Periska), and Posyandu Cadres from PT Mamuang, PT Pasangkayu, PT Letawa and PT Lestari Tani Teladan.”
The event was attended by local communities, including Halima, a female leader from the Kaili Tado Tribe in Martasari Village, which is the company’s ring-1 village.
Halima mentioned, “The event is beneficial for increasing our knowledge about cancer, especially for mothers, so that there is no malnutrition for their children.”
PT Mamuang Administrator, M Satria Abdi Catur Pamungkas, stated that as a subsidiary of Astra Agro, PT Mamuang has integrated labor aspects in the implementation of sustainability principles by upholding human rights (HAM). He also mentioned that human rights policies are implemented throughout the company through Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) related to human rights as a guide for implementation.
“We are committed to respecting human rights in all aspects related to business operations, starting from the rights of workers, indigenous people, local communities, and also the supply chain,” said Satria.
He added that this socialization activity is a tangible manifestation of PT Mamuang’s responsibility towards the health of employees, families, and the surrounding community, especially for women and children.
