Bright Gas Friends Encourages Indonesian Women to Detect Breast Cancer Early
Jakarta, October 9, 2020 – To encourage the International Breast Cancer Awareness month which falls on October 2020, Pertamina encourages Indonesian women to raise awareness in early detection of breast cancer. Pertamina wants to participate in reducing the high number of breast cancer cases due to the lack of public awareness, especially Indonesian women about breast health.
Director of Finance of Pertamina, Emma Sri Martini, said that Pertamina is quite concerned about the development of breast cancer in Indonesia by providing education and building awareness to the public about the importance of early detection of breast cancer symptoms.
"As a woman, her role is critical, especially in the family. Women are the pillars of the family, handle kitchen affairs, and various other matters. Therefore, health is vital because, without health, we cannot do any activity," said Emma in the opening of the Bright & Brave Webinar: The Pink Side of Breast Cancer, held in Jakarta, Friday (9/10).
According to Ema, this Webinar is very relevant to provide public education because we know that breast cancer is one of Indonesia's biggest killers.
"One of the reasons may be the lack of education related to BSE or awareness of doing self-examination to treat early cancer symptoms," added Emma.
The Webinar, held by the LPG Sales Function of PT Pertamina (Persero) in collaboration with the Lovepink Foundation, carries the theme "Bright & Brave." It means that Bright Gas friends dare to share, have hope, support each other, and give positive energy to each other, both among survivors and all women.
Meanwhile, The Pink Side of Breast Cancer adapts the Pink Ribbon, a symbol of breast cancer awareness worldwide. Pink ribbons are generally used as moral support and hope for women with breast cancer.
In this Webinar, which was attended by around 1000 participants, was present as the speaker of the Co-Founder of Lovepink, Shanti Persada, explained breast cancer and the BSE Campaign, the Chairman of Lovepink, Samantha Barbara, Art Worker, Lovepink Ambassador, Chelsea Islan and breast cancer survivor, Lugina Cita Laksana. Also present were dr. Alfiah Amiruddin, MD, MS., who conveyed the importance of clinical examination for breast cancer. Appearing as a moderator is Prisia Nasution, one of the breast cancer activists.
Lugina Cita Laksana, one of Lovepink's young survivors, told an inspiring story during the Bright and Brave Webinar. She said that her path to recovery from breast cancer at a young age was not an easy one. However, support from various parties, one of them from Lovepink encouraged her.
"I would like to invite all Indonesian women to check their breasts and do not also forget to check their breast clinically every year because cancer knows no age," she said.
Meanwhile, Chelsea Islan, an actress and also a Lovepink Ambassador, said awareness about breast cancer is critical, especially for young women.
"When I joined Lovepink's activities, I learned that a lot of young people under 25 had been diagnosed with breast cancer. At first, I was shocked because I thought young people could not get cancer when they were young, but I realized that we need to be aware from an early age," she said.
According to Chelsea, breast cancer knows no age. Anyone can get breast cancer. "From now on, let us do BSE, and together we provide awareness about breast cancer. Let us support, let us detect it early, let us beat breast cancer," she added.
Apart from the Webinar, during October, Pertamina also held a "Pink Virtual Photo Exhibition" in collaboration with photographers Nita Strudwick and Nuel. They will take virtual photos of breast cancer patients and survivors and then posted them on Lovepink's social media and displayed in a virtual photo exhibition.**