Tougher on Cancer

Cancer is a deadly disease. Nevertheless, the malady can be cured. Cancer is terrible, but it can be drawn out of a patient’s “bunker” and destroyed.

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Dr. Ario Djatmiko, a surgical oncologist who specializes in breast cancer, is a senior member of the Indonesian Doctors Association and the Indonesian Cancer Foundation. He is also the founder of the Surabaya Oncology Hospital and the Reach to Recovery Surabaya, a breast cancer survivor and support group.

Dr. Ario Djatmiko’s discovery of a tumor less than 4 millimeters in a patient, Ibu Setiawan, made history in breast cancer management and treatment in Indonesia. The mini tumor, which appeared calcified spots in the patient’s mammogram image, could be virulent.

The tumor had to be surgically removed and examined at a laboratory to ascertain the degree of “malignant threat” it posed to the patient.

“I feel grateful to the patient, because history has been made in Indonesia in breast cancer management,” said Djatmiko, who prefers to be called “Doctor Mik”. Doctor Mik is a surgical oncologist specializing in breast cancer at the Surabaya Oncology Hospital (RSOS) in East Java. We spoke on Friday afternoon (31/1/2020) during one of his breaks.

The historic event 29 years ago is ingrained in Doctor Mik’s memory. For the first time, a medical team in Indonesia was able to detect and treat a miniature breast cancer tumor. Early detection and diagnosis of the cancer helped the patient recover. The successful patient case raised Djatmikoto’s spirit and commitment to dedicate himself to his medical pursuit, in particular breast cancer patients.

Becoming a doctor has been the life’s mission of the younger brother of Makarim Wibisono and the twin of Dr. Ario Djatmoko, aka “Doctor Mik”. After finishing their studies at SMA Negeri 3 Yogyakarta senior high school, the twin brothers had to return to their hometown of Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara, where they were born.

I feel grateful to the patient, because history has been made in Indonesia in breast cancer management.

Their father Sumantri Wirokusumo was seriously ill and the family finances was in dire straits. Their mother Onnie Muawanah gave the twins some money so they could further their studies at a university in Java while their father was treated at Panti Rapih Hospital in Yogyakarta. Mik and Mok realized during this time that an illness could be a heavy blow and financial burden to a family. For this reason, they decided that either or both of them should become a physician.

The twins were accepted to and graduated from the Airlangga University Medical School in Surabaya. Doctor Mik then decided to become a surgical oncologist specializing in breast cancer. His decision was personal, as his beloved mother became ill from breast cancer in 1974. Doctor Mik enrolled in a surgical oncology sub-specialization course at Academisch Ziekenhuis Groningen (AZG) in the Netherlands from 1983 to 1984.

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Ario Djatmiko

Doctor Mik remembers well the culture of integrity that the AZG doctors followed. They always gathered together to discuss the details of each patient’s condition. The culture of scientific integrity and openness formed the basis for providing their best services to the patient.

He always bears in mind the advice of his tutor, Prof. J. Oldhoff, on openness, teamwork, responsibility and self-confidence. He finished his oncology training in breast cancer in 1991 at Antoni van Leeuwenhoek Nederlands Kanker Instituut in Amsterdam.

Integration

On his return from the “country of tulips”, Doctor Mik brought fundamental change to breast cancer management. He concluded that any medical decision regarding a patient should be based on clinical evidence; the best quality could only come from the best teamwork. The performance, knowledge and expertise of a specialist team should be measured and developed. Scientific honesty and openness between the members of the team, the patient and their family was the key to success in healthcare management.

This principled spirit, said Djatmiko, who was born in Mataram, Lombok, on 7 April 1950, encouraged him and his medical team to make history by discovering the mini breast tumor in November 1991.

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Ario Djatmiko

Djatmiko and the RSOS medical team continue to maintain the culture of integrity that Doctor Mik witnessed and experienced in Groningen. Proof of this is seen at RSOS, which takes an integrated approach to early detection, diagnosis and treatment, and has established cooperation with the radiotherapy center in Surabaya.

RSOS has a tumor council of doctors that seek the best solution and monitor every medical decision taken for each patient. This way assures control over quality and costs, as well as humane services.

Cancer is a deadly disease. The stealthy disease, which appears as tumors, can lead to paralysis, shut down the nervous system and organs, and eventually claim a person’s life. Nevertheless, the malady can be cured. Cancer is terrible, but it can be drawn out of a patient’s “bunker” and destroyed.

Also read : Disaster Mitigation Through Independent Effort

But if the stealthy cancer is to be caught, the patient should seek help at the right time and to the right place. Djatmiko stressed that the disease was asymptomatic at its onset. For example, lumps may emerge in the body but cause no pain or discomfort so they are almost always ignored.

“Making the public aware of cancer is important,” said Djatmiko. To this end, a decade after founding the Surabaya Oncology Hospital, Doctor Mik encouraged his former patients to form Reach to Recovery Surabaya (RRS) on 21 May 2005.

The RRS is a special group that supports breast cancer patients by providing psychological and emotional support as well as information to patients and their families. This helps the patient and their family to make the right decisions in cancer management while encouraging them towards recovery.

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Ario Djatmiko

Through the Indonesian Doctors Association and the Indonesian Cancer Foundation, Djatmiko has called for the establishment of integrated cancer treatment centers. Cancers should no longer be managed by general hospitals, but rather by specialist clinics. East Java, with its 40 million population in 38 regencies/municipalities needs 155 cancer treatment centers. The number of the centers should be adjusted to meet the population size in a region. Surabaya, for instance, has 3.1 million people so it needs more than 20 cancer centers.

Doctor Mik takes a tough stance on tumors in the fight against cancers. However, Djatmiko treats people kindly and gently. This son of Lombok, who spent many childhood evenings watching the sun set on Ampenan Beach, doesn’t just save breast cancer patients; he is also trying to save humanity through writing and music.

Doctor Mik is a diligent writer. His book, Dilema Bangsaku Pandangan Seorang Dokter (My nation’s dilemma: A doctor’s view) is proof that Djatmiko can offer valuable ideas for advancing medicine and health in Nusantara (Indonesian archipelago).

Doctor Mik is also a skilled musician who plays bass, and the engine of the Dr Mik’n the Blues Project. Writing and music are like “cancer” for him, but they are positive in enhancing the quality of life. The works of blues singers like B.B. King, Eric Clapton and The Yardbirds aren’t just pieces on his rehearsal or concert program, and also help raise Djatmiko’s spirit in the fight against cancer.

Ario Djatmiko

Born: Mataram, 7 April 1950

Education:

- Breast Cancer Management, Antoni van Leeuwenhoekhuis Nederlands Kanker Instituut, 1991

- Surgical Oncology, Academish Ziekenhuis Groningen, 1985

- Surgical Specialty, Medical Faculty, Airlangga University, Surabaya, 1982

- Medical School, Airlangga University, Surabaya, 1976

- SMA Negeri 3 Yogyakarta

Wife: Alia “Lia” Wahyuna Djatmiko

Occupation:

- Surgery lecturer, Medical Faculty, Airlangga University

- Founder, Surabaya Oncology Hospital

- Founder, Reach to Recovery Surabaya