Early Detection Closer: Breast Cancer Screening Through On-Demand Health Workers

Breast cancer is still one of the main causes of death for women from cancer in Indonesia. In fact, if detected early, the chance of curing breast cancer can reach more than 90%. Unfortunately, there are still many women who do not undergo routine screening due to time constraints, distance to health facilities, lack of education, and fear or shame. This is where the role of on-demand health workers becomes an innovative solution to bridge the gap in health services.

On-demand health workers refer to professional medical personnel, such as nurses, midwives, or general practitioners, who can be called as needed through an application or digital platform. With the concept of direct service to the user's home or location, this model provides flexibility and convenience for women who have difficulty accessing conventional health services.

In the context of breast cancer screening, on-demand health workers can educate about the importance of early detection, provide training in breast self-examination (SADARI), and conduct clinical breast examinations (SADANIS). If suspicious signs are found, health workers can immediately refer patients to more complete health facilities for further examinations such as ultrasound or mammography.

The main advantage of this approach is the creation of a more personalized and user-friendly service. Many women feel more comfortable being screened in a private setting, especially if they are served by friendly and gender-sensitively trained staff. On the other hand, this service also reaches communities that are far from hospitals, including informal workers, housewives, and women's groups in semi-urban and rural areas. 

The integration of technology and on-demand services also opens up opportunities for better data collection and monitoring. Through the application, users can receive reminders for regular screening schedules, access health information, and securely stored digital medical records. This increases women's involvement in maintaining their health independently. 

However, challenges remain, such as the limited number of trained health workers, operational costs, and the need for digital education for the wider community. For this, collaboration is needed between the government, private sector, women's organizations, and health startups to develop a sustainable and inclusive screening service ecosystem. 

Overall, on-demand health workers present a new approach that is adaptive and effective in increasing early detection rates of breast cancer. By prioritizing women’s convenience, accessibility, and empowerment, this model can be an important pillar in a more equitable and gender-responsive public health strategy.