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Continuous education and social awareness are key to reducing the morbidity and mortality rates associated with cervical cancer in Indonesia. Recognizing this, a community service team from the Obstetrics and Gynecology Study Program at the Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Sebelas Maret (UNS), organized a series of educational and social outreach activities in Surakarta.

Led by Dr. dr. Uki Retno Budihastuti, Sp.O.G., Subsp. F.E.R., this initiative—based on a community empowerment model—focused on three interconnected agendas: medical education for healthcare workers, visits to a halfway house, and the donation of medical equipment.

The first agenda was a seminar titled "Education for Healthcare Workers and Health Volunteers on HPV DNA Testing for Early Detection of Cervical Cancer." Held at the Surakarta Health Office’s Hall, the scientific session was attended with great enthusiasm by participants representing doctors and midwives from various Community Health Center (Puskesmas) across the city.

Two gynecologic oncology experts served as the keynote speakers: Dr. Heru Priyanto, Sp.O.G., Subsp.Onk., and Dr. Affi Angelia Ratnasari, Sp.O.G., Subsp.Onk. They provided an in-depth explanation of the advantages of the HPV DNA test, highlighting its superior sensitivity and precision—compared to conventional methods—in detecting the virus that causes cervical cancer at a very early stage. It is hoped that healthcare workers and community health volunteers at Community Health Centers (Puskesmas) will share this knowledge with the general public, thereby fostering greater awareness regarding the importance of early detection.

Going beyond merely sharing knowledge in a seminar setting, the Community Service team from the Obstetrics and Gynecology Study Program at the Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Sebelas Maret (FK UNS), demonstrated their commitment through a second initiative: a visit to the halfway house managed by the Surakarta branch of the Indonesian Cancer Foundation (YKI). This visit aimed to provide moral support to cancer patients undergoing treatment and to engage in direct dialogue regarding the health challenges they face.

To conclude the series of activities, the team symbolically presented medical equipment to the Surakarta branch of the Indonesian Cancer Foundation. It is hoped that the donated equipment will enhance the facilities at the halfway house and facilitate the monitoring of the health status of cervical cancer patients—as well as those with other types of cancer—throughout their treatment.

According to Dr. Uki, the combination of cutting-edge medical education for healthcare professionals and direct support for the cancer foundation is expected to foster a superior care ecosystem.

“We hope that this comprehensive approach will not only expand the reach of early cervical cancer detection in Surakarta but also ensure that patients battling cancer receive better care and enjoy a higher quality of life,” she stated.

Public Relations of FK UNS