World oncologists to share knowledge, skills

Matheos Viktor Messakh ,  The Jakarta Post ,  Jakarta   |  Fri, 05/09/2008 9:38 AM  |  National

The Mochtar Riady Institute of Nanotechnology (MRIN) plans to hold an international symposium on cancer research in an attempt to share knowledge on the application of new technology with the country's medical practitioners.

The symposium titled "Frontier of Cancer Research" will be held on May 10 and 11 at Pelita Harapan University's campus in Lippo Karawaci and is set to feature 18 of the world's top oncologists, who would share their latest research with professionals, researchers and medical students.

The two-day symposium, held in a collaboration with Pelita Harapan University and Siloam Hospitals, is also a precursor event to the opening of the MRIN building on May 12.

"Out of 240 million people in Indonesia, we only have about 120 oncologists and about 100 neurologists. This portrays how limited specialists are in Indonesia," Lippo Group's chairman Mochtar Riady told reporters here on Thursday.

"We also only have one cancer hospital, the Dharmais Hospital. No wonder many rich people prefer to go abroad for treatment. But how about those who cannot afford to go abroad?"

He said in order to change this trend the country should have a good medical school, supported by good research and good specialist hospitals.

"The main problem in Indonesia is not that we lack expertise, but rather that we have lacked research into the exploration of new methods."

Nanotechnology is a field of applied science and technology whose purpose is the control and engineering of matter at molecular level, usually 100 nanometer or smaller. It also encompasses the production of devices and materials of that size range.

MRIN president Susan S.W. Tai said nanotechnology was important for cancer research because of the nature of the disease.

"More than 80 percent of human diseases are genetic. Cancer is also a genetic problem of the cells. It's related to each individual gene's expression pattern. That is why when nanotechnology is applied to the medical field, it's a life science, it's nanomedicine," said Tai, who obtained her post-doctorate in cancer research at the University of California, Berkeley.

The MRIN, which was established in 2006, has conducted researches on cancer prevention, causes, early diagnosis, control and cures to further advance medical and scientific research. The institute is primarily focused on studies related to Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC) with the aim to improve HCC control and management in Indonesia.

"We hope the symposium will act as a catalyst to focus attention on the critical health issues facing Indonesia, particularly cancer, and encourage medical professionals, researchers, scientists and medical students to apply their knowledge to the advancement of medical education and research in Indonesia," Mochtar said.

Cancer is a major cause of mortality today, despite advances in imaging technology, modern surgery and therapeutic modalities. It is estimated that cancer kills over 6 million people each year worldwide, with over 10 million new cases being diagnosed every year.

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