Early Detection of Liver and Colorectal Cancer: The Importance of Education and Routine Screening
GWS Medika, in partnership with IHH Healthcare Singapore and PanAsia, held two healthy talk sessions on April 30 and May 5, 2025, to raise public awareness about liver and colorectal cancer risks.
The event was held in the GWS Medika Medical Center, Menara Sentraya, Blok M, and was attended by the general public and employees from the surrounding area.
The first session, “Beware of Early Liver Disease,” was led by Dr. Iyer Shridhar Ganpathi, a general surgeon at Mount Elizabeth Hospital, Singapore. He is an expert in hepato-pancreato-biliary surgery and liver transplantation, with over 18 years of experience.
In his presentation, Dr. Shridhar explained that unhealthy lifestyles, such as high-fat diets, alcohol consumption, and hepatitis B and C virus infections, are the leading causes of liver damage that can progress to cancer.
He also emphasized the importance of regular liver function tests, especially for individuals with high-risk factors, such as a history of hepatitis or alcohol consumption.
Why is early screening for colorectal cancer important?
Dr. Melvin Look, a surgeon from Mount Elizabeth and Parkway East Hospital, presented the second session on May 5, which focused on colorectal cancer and the importance of early detection.
He revealed that gastrointestinal cancer is the number one cause of cancer death in Singapore. But the good news is, "This cancer is very curable if detected early," he said.
According to Dr. Melvin, everyone over 40 years old is included in the risk group, especially those with a family history of cancer. Therefore, he suggests several screening methods that can be done, including
- fecal occult blood test (every year);
- colonoscopy (every 10 years);
- barium enema (as an alternative to colonoscopy).
This event is part of the Continuing Medical Education (CME) program, which aims to improve the capabilities of GWS Medika's medical personnel. Collaboration with international experts is expected to provide new insights into treating liver disease and digestive cancer that may be adapted to local conditions in Indonesia.
The exclusive face-to-face event format also allows participants to discuss topics directly with experts, making the knowledge gained more applicable and contextual.
Long-term benefits
Through this activity, GWS Medika, IHH Healthcare Singapore, and PanAsia hope to emphasize that early detection, ongoing education, and lifestyle changes are the main keys to cancer prevention.
This activity not only provides benefits to the general public but also strengthens the capacity of medical professionals through cross-country learning.
If you wish to avoid the risk of liver and colorectal cancer, the first step is to start now: do regular screening and change your lifestyle to be healthier.
