Hyderabad: For Jaideep (name changed), the discovery of his wife’s cervical cancer through menstrual spotting came as a shock. The former govt employee took out a medical loan and burned through a major chunk of his life savings meant for his children. “The first bout of treatment saved her, but within a year, the malignancy resurfaced, taking her along with it the second time.” All that he is now left with is her memory, and a medical bill of nearly 40 lakh.
This is one among the many stories of families who continue to bear the financial brunt of cancer care treatment, which remains expensive despite medical and technological innovations. With the recent union budget easing the prices of crucial imported cancer drugs, doctors cautiously hope that the cost of treatment will fall in time.
“In India, three out of four people pay their cancer bills out of pocket,” said Dr Sairam Chinthamadaka, senior oncologist and secretary of the Indian Medical Association’s Academy of Medical Specialities. “The input cost of setting up a cancer centre, approximately 20-30 crore, makes it prohibitively expensive, limiting access to treatment in rural areas.”
While the recent union budget has reduced taxes on imported cancer drugs, the cost of treatment remains high due to expensive medical equipment. “Treatment costs have escalated significantly. Though drugs are getting tax exemptions, the newer drugs in development will need similar measures,” explained Dr M Srinivas Reddy, senior consultant surgical oncologist at Kamineni Hospital.
The cost of advanced treatment methods adds to the burden. “Laparoscopic and robotic surgery installation costs are very high. In India, only one company manufactures robotic machines locally, while the rest are imported,” Dr Reddy added.
KIMS Hospital surgical oncology department HOD Dr Nagendra Parvathaneni highlighted the high costs of medication, saying, “The top 5-6 drugs cost around 3.5 to 4 lakh per dose and can require 25 administrations over the course of treatment. Cancer snatches more wealth than it restores health.”
Palliative Care: A Growing Need
While palliative care continues to evolve, accessibility remains a challenge. “Palliative care has become more sophisticated with new pain-relief delivery techniques. Epidural blocks have gained popularity, and analgesic patches have become mainstream,” said Dr Reddy.
However, the cost of palliative care can be substantial. “Private facilities charge anywhere from 10,000 to multiple lakhs per day for nursing care. Palliative care isn’t just about pain management; it also can include treating nausea and wound care with repeated dressings,” Dr Reddy explained.
Dr Parvathaneni emphasises the importance of emotional support in cancer care, saying, “Studies prove that patients with strong family and community support tend to live longer. Personalised medicine should consider not just the treatment but also the patient’s economic status, caregivers, and support systems.”
The way forward, experts suggest, lies in establishing more cancer screening centres in districts for early detection and making treatment more affordable through govt intervention and insurance coverage. Until then, families like Jaideep’s will continue to bear the crushing financial burden of cancer care.
Rise in breast cancer in India
“Women run the world, and it hurts to see the world’s pillars succumb to cancer,” said Dr Geetha Nagasree, surgical oncologist at Care Hospitals, expressing concern over the rising cases of breast cancer.
Highlighting an alarming rise in breast cancer in India, with 1 in 29 women testing positive, experts said that rapid lifestyle and dietary changes, especially in urban residents, have resulted in a reported 10% year-on-year hike in breast cancer in the country.
Doctors said that female hormone progesterone, plays a key role in protecting breast health. “Late conception or opting to not have children has been found to inhibit increased production of progesterone and its healthy action on the breasts, increasing susceptibility to develop tumours in women,” said Dr M Srinivas Reddy. He added that keeping tabs on hormone levels can be the first step towards preventing malignancy.
Echoing the same, Dr Geetha said, “Several studies point to the fact that stress is playing a major role in breast cancer development. Women today work as well as handle the house. It’s important for us to take out time for regular screenings, as early detections can make the difference between life and death.”
