Cancer Treatment Costs In India

Around the world, non-communicable diseases, also known as NCDs, account for 71% of the fatality rate. In India, NCDs account for a high number of hospitalizations followed by deaths. According to a report in Ascopubs.Org, out of 63% of all NCD deaths, cancer sits on the top tier in terms of deaths. About 9% of the mortality is due to different types of this disease. This projection shed light on the cancer accounts. In India, about 679,421 males were diagnosed with cancer and 712,758 females had some type of cancer in the year 2020. Men develop lung cancer most often. And women, on the other hand, are diagnosed with breast cancer. In short, one out nine Indians will be diagnosed with some form of cancer in their life between the ages of 0 to 74 years. Out of this, some quit treatment after the second or third year of treatment according to Harish Chandra Rodda, an expert in Public Health Management. 

Cancer treatment costs in India vary according to the stage of cancer that the person is suffering from. The variable costing includes in-house, day-care or at-home treatment plus the frequency of the therapies as suggested by the doctors. Another factor that determines it is the area in which the person is getting the treatment done. Not all can afford the treatment without insurance or loans. Let us understand the determining factors - 

Cancer Treatment Costs In India

In the treatment process, various methods are used according to the prescription of the doctor. For instance, chemotherapy, radiation therapy and medication therapy. This is to either treat, control or weaken the symptoms of the cancerous cells. After which, doctors suggest whether or not to have surgeries in the area that’s affected.

Targeted therapies fall in the higher bracket, they are exorbitant as they are high success rate treatments available for specific types of cancers. When a person is diagnosed with a certain type, the costs vary. For instance, reports suggest that breast cancer is one of the most expensive cancer types followed by lung cancer and colon cancer. The predictability of the latter remains mere. 

Also Read: 8 Common Cancer Myths Debunked

Below are some of the therapies available -

The costs can vary with the level of treatments, which are mentioned below - 

• The primary level of treatment is to completely get rid of the cells, which is crucial to prevent the cells from coming back. In this process, the doctors prescribe focus treatment.

• Followed by the adjuvant treatment which is to kill those that remained even after the primary treatment. Even after cancer surgery, there remain cells that were identified later or were almost nascent at the time of the first surgery. Such follow-up treatment is necessary to remove the growing tumor. 

• Then comes the palliative treatment which is to provide symptomatic relief as a result of the cancerous cells and the side effects of the cancer treatment. This is to help the patient cope and feel better after hours of therapy. 

Ideally, the course of the treatment is decided on the type of cancer, the level of spread, the location of the cancerous cells and the effect it has had on the tissues and the cells. A person suffering from a severe level of cancer can undergo a combination of the aforementioned treatments. What it also determines is the cancer treatment costs which would rather be expensive if the type of treatment is mixed or not. 

The average cancer treatment costs in India - 

In India, as mentioned above, cancer treatment costs vary as per the minimum price set by the apex body directly in proportion to the global cost of healthcare. It starts with a minimum base price, which accounts for the medication, and it can start from anywhere between ₹24,000 to ₹90,000. That’s followed by ₹1,50,000 to ₹18,00,000 for radiotherapy, chemotherapy or surgery. The treatment process can either be one or a combination of the aforementioned types, as prescribed by doctors. Across the country, the average cancer treatment cost is ₹5,00,000 and the upper limit is capped at approximately ₹30,00,000. The medication cost average across the different regions varies between ₹11,000 to ₹60,000. 

Factors that affect the cancer treatment costs in India:

The burden of cancer

According to a report in National Sample Survey between the years 2001 to 2018, the cancer rate has doubled in number and the projected rate also states that the number of cancer patients will only increase. In India, with the increased cancer case detection centres owing to increased awareness, more and more people are looking to get their diagnosis and treatment at the earliest. However, not everyone can afford to get treatments under insurance. 

As per a report in a publication, 

“India has nearly 30% or 42 Crore of its population devoid of any health insurance with the actual number being higher due to gaps in the existing schemes and overlap between the schemes, the NITI Aayod has said, suggesting the need for a low-cost health insurance product of this section for the population if India aims to achieve universal health coverage.”

Paying or planning for a medical emergency is often an out of hand situation for many without financial backing. Thus, clearing all bills is an apparent crisis for families. So, the question remains. How do one clear all cancer treatment costs? How does one pay for growing medical bills and how does one manage, at all, during the time of a medical emergency? 

The answer is - CROWDFUNDING!

Also Read: 5 Ways To Raise Money For Kids With Cancer

Paying For Cancer At 0% Platform Fees

With the advent of technology, 4G internet and accessibility of the internet by most smartphone users, online crowdfunding platforms have witnessed a multi-fold growth in the past few years. People believe in the power of crowdfunding now more than ever. One can pay their medical emergency bills with the help of online fundraising. For instance, you can pay with the help of raising money online from a pool of donors who root for your cause and your well-being. With crowdfunding, there is no payback involved. It is unlike insurance on which there occur timely paybacks and there is no interest rate too. The donations that come in small amounts from a large number of donors are a one-time payment or gift to the beneficiary. 

How can one clear their bills with crowdfunding?

By starting a fundraiser on India’s #1 medical fundraising platform, one can raise the required amount and clear all related cancer treatment costs. Below are the steps provided to pay your bills:

1.

Start A Free Fundraiser

In this step, you start filling a form that takes minutes to be completed. Outline your story and mention the reasons that are stopping you from the treatment. We suggest that you write from the heart and let the world know. 

2.

Share Your Fundraiser

Share your story first with immediate family and then with friends followed by strangers around the world. Sharing is the key to getting funds to pay the bills. Leverage the power of social media and let your fundraiser shine.

3.

Withdraw All Donations

Once you have the goal amount or even before that, withdraw your raised funds. A direct ImpactGuru to hospital bank transfer helps you get funds quickly. 

Once you receive the donations, you are only one step away from getting the cancer treatment you deserve. At ImpactGuru, we have assisted in the journey of 25,000+ patients and continue to do so. You can be next to cover your cancer treatment costs within a record number of days. Start a fundraiser right away!

If you want to learn more, read this - 

Financial Help To Pay For Cancer