0The battle with cancer is unfettered to a physical one, it is emotionally, mentally, and financially draining as well. Reports from the National Institute of Cancer Prevention and Research (NICPR) suggested that an estimated 2.25 million people in India live with cancer. More than 1 million new cancer patients are registered every year. Even more shockingly, in 2018, 7,84,821 people (4,13,519 men and 3,71,302 women) died of cancer and most of them were between 36 to 45 years of age, rendering us to believe that a family’s finances are ostensibly disrupted due to the loss of a source of income. The statistics are truly petrifying leading us to contemplate how brutally cancer can affect an individual or a family’s finances. Delineated research done on the economic burden of cancer in Indian households in 2004, revealed that the expenses in a cancer-afflicted home were 36-44% more as compared to other households with similar demographics. These statistics are enough for one to envisage the emotional and financial avalanche a family with a cancer patient goes through.
The cost of treatment varies on several factors, such as the type of cancer, tests suggested, and certainly varies from case to case. However, we succinctly differentiate the estimated cost of cancer treatment in India:
| Cancer Type | Cancer Surgery Cost | Min. cost of Chemotherapy/ Radiotherapy (Per Cycle) |
| Head and Neck | Rs. 2.5 – 4.1 Lakh | Rs. 25,801 |
| Breast | Rs. 2.9 L – Rs. 3.5 L | Rs. 32,252 |
| Cervical | Rs. 1.9 L – Rs. 3.2 L | Rs. 12,900 |
| Oesophagus | Rs. 3.8 L – Rs 5.1 L | Rs. 51,603 |
| Stomach | Rs. 3.2 L – Rs. 4.5 L | Rs. 51,603 |
| Colon | Rs. 3.5 L – Rs. 4.8 L | Rs. 64,504 |
| Ovarian | Rs. 2.3 L – Rs. 3.6 L | Rs. 25,801 |
| Lung | Rs. 2.9 L – Rs. 3.5 L | Rs. 25,802 |
| Prostrate | Rs. 2.3 L* | Cost of radical prostatectomy surgery – Rs.5.2 lakhs4 |
It can be inferred that the minimum cost of cancer treatment is almost twice the net annual income of an average Indian. The expenses are certainly flabbergasting and makes one wonder the reason behind the cost. The medical instruments required for treating cancer are irrefutably expensive, however, there are more reasons that can be associated with the cost being constantly accelerated over the years. India has merely 0.98 oncologists per million population, the ratio certainly worsens the situation. Whereas, cavalier attitude and negligence of patient leading to delayed detection can also increase the cost for the patient while curtailing the survival chances as well.
One must never be ignorant regarding the symptoms and get regular check-ups for early detection which can not only help in ebbing the financial distress but also increase the chances of preventing cancer or healing from it sooner. Prevalent cancers, such as the cervix, colon, breast, lung, prostate, ovary, etc, can be detected by routine screening. A certain improvement in survival has been noticed due to screening programs in the case of these cancers. In India, 70% of cancers are detected in advanced stages, making the treatment more expensive and curtailing survival chances.
Apart from that, health insurance can prove to be profusely beneficial. Keeping pace with the acceleration in the incidence of cancer, new policies with special features and higher covers are being launched by the insurance industry. One can pick from myriad health policies that covers hospitalization expenses, or critical illness that covers a range of diseases, including cancer, and specialized cancer care products.
To emanate the rays of hope, the Indian state is taking constant steps to conquer this war against cancer. Certain government initiatives ensure people get access to advanced treatments and medications at minimal cost or absolutely free of cost. Delhi State Cancer Institute, Shahdara is one such institute. Availing treatment free of cost can certainly help the patient profusely, below we have mentioned a few centers/hospitals which offer treatment free of cost:
- Tata Memorial Hospital, Kolkata
- Regional Cancer Center, Thiruvananthapuram
- Cancer Care Foundation of India, Mumbai
- Tata Memorial Hospital, Mumbai
- Kidwai Memorial Institute of Oncology, Bangalore
Apart from this, some state governments such as those of Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Karnataka have included cancer treatment in state-sponsored health insurance schemes that pay for the care of below-poverty-line families in private facilities. Such initiatives are empowering and must be encouraged.
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