Cancer is a hard-to-hear diagnosis for anyone, and people easily lose hope when faced with such a challenge. While early detection and treatment are essential, the most important thing for some people would be the treatment cost. So, how much does cancer treatment cost in India?
This article will discuss the most common types of cancer affecting Indians and who provides the best treatment for cancer in India.
Most Common Types of Cancers in India
Below is a list of the most common types of cancer in India
1. Breast Cancer
Cancer of the breast occurs when breast cells grow out of control and form a tumour. This can be detected by X-ray or felt as a lump. The type of cancer and how far it spread determines what treatment is needed.
Symptoms
- A lump in the breast or underarm (armpit).
- Thickening or swelling of the breast.
- Breast irritation and dimpling.
Treatment Options
- Lumpectomy
- Immunotherapy
- Mastectomy
- Targeted therapy
- Radiation therapy
- Chemotherapy
Average Cost of Treatment
- Lumpectomy: Rs. 1.5–2.15 lakhs
- Radiation therapy: Rs. 2.15–3.5 lakhs
2. Cervical Cancer
Cervical cancer affects the cervix, the lower part of the uterus that opens into the vagina. It’s usually a slow-growing cancer that may not display any symptoms in its early stages.
However, cervical cancer can cause bleeding from the vagina, abnormal vaginal discharge, and pain during sex. Untreated cervical cancer can spread to other parts of the body and be fatal.
Symptoms
- Vaginal bleeding following intercourse between periods or after menopause.
- Bloody, watery, foul-smelling vaginal discharge.
- Pain in the pelvis (especially during sexual activity).
Treatment Options
- Surgery
- Radiation
- Chemotherapy (individually or in combination).
Average Cost of Treatment
The average cost of cervical cancer treatment can range between Rs. 3–10 lakhs.
3. Blood Cancer
In most cases, blood cancer or leukaemia begins in the bone marrow. The condition is caused by an abnormal increase in underdeveloped blood cells called “blasts” or “leukaemia cells”. The abnormality results in chaotic growth and division of blood cells. Leukaemia is treatable if detected early.
Symptoms
- Tiredness
- Breathlessness
- Unexplained rashes, bruising, or bleeding
- Infections or unexplained fever
- Lumps
- Swellings
Treatment Options
- Chemotherapy
- Bone marrow transplant
- Radiation therapy
- Targeted therapy
Average Cost of Treatment
The average cost of treating leukaemia is approximately Rs. 11 lakhs.
4. Lung Cancer
Lung cancer accounts for almost 10% of all cancer-related deaths. Lung cancer is caused mainly by smoking, with smokers 20 times more likely to develop it than non-smokers.
Symptoms
- Persistent cough
- Coughing up blood
- Shortness of breath
- Chest pain
- Wheezing
- Weight loss
- Fatigue
Treatment Options
- Chemotherapy
- Lung surgery
- Radiation therapy
- Radiosurgery
Average Cost of Treatment
The average cost of treating lung cancer is approximately Rs. 13 lakhs.
5. Oral Cancer
In India, over 77,000 new cases of oral cancer and 52,000 oral-cancer-related deaths are reported every year. Most of these cases are linked to tobacco use—either through smoking or smokeless tobacco use.
Oral cancer is also caused by excessive alcohol consumption, chewing betel nut, and human papillomavirus (HPV) exposure.
Symptoms
- A persistent sore or irritation in the mouth
- Bleeding of the mouth
- A lump or mass in the mouth or throat
- Difficulty swallowing
- Change in voice
- Persistent bad breath
Treatment Options
- Radiation therapy
- Chemotherapy
- Surgery
Average Cost of Treatment
The average cost of treating oral cancer is approximately Rs. 2.8 lakhs.
6. Prostate Cancer
Uncontrolled growth of cells in the prostate gland causes prostate cancer. It’s the most common cancer and cancer-related death in men. Prostate cancer is a treatable disease if detected early.
Symptoms
- Frequent urination, especially at night
- A weak or interrupted urinary stream
- Pain or burning during urination
- Blood in the urine
- Trouble urinating
- Painful ejaculation
- A swelling in the legs or pelvis
Treatment
- Radiation therapy
- Chemotherapy
- Surgery
- Hormonal therapy
- Proton Therapy
- Cryotherapy
Average Cost of Treatment
The approximate cost of treating prostate cancer is Rs. 3.5 lakhs.
Factors Affecting the Average Cost of Cancer Treatment in India
The average cancer treatment cost in India depends on the following factors
1. Physical location: If you live in a tier I city like Mumbai or Bengaluru, it could cost you over ?1 lakh.
2. Type of treatment: Depending on the type of cancer, treatment could involve chemotherapy, radiation therapy, bone marrow transplant, etc. The cost of bone marrow, for example, could cost between ?8–15 lakhs.
3. Stage of treatment: Cancer treatment involves neutralizing cancer cells completely, killing the remaining ones after the primary treatment, or relieving symptoms caused by the cancer treatment.
4. Type of hospital and room opted: These are variable factors that significantly influence the cost, especially when the patient needs an extended stay or a special room.
5. Medical insurance: The importance of medical coverage cannot be overstated. Buying medical insurance that specifically covers cancer treatment can be a great help.
Getting the Best Cancer Treatment in India
Ayu Health implores cancer patients to maintain a positive attitude and remember that many people have successfully overcome cancer.
Treatment of cancer need not be a taboo subject. On the contrary, it should be discussed freely to increase the chances of a full recovery.
Also, cancer treatment cost in India should not be an impediment to getting the care you or your loved ones deserve. Ayu Health are typically 30–50% cheaper compared to other equivalent hospitals because of our better utilization, higher operational efficiency, and lower procurement costs.
Our doctors have an average experience of 15+ years, which is a great advantage.
Visit our website for more information on how you can avail quality cancer care through 100% fixed price packages and no-cost EMI and insurance.
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About the Author
Dr. Shivakumar Uppala
Dr. Shivakumar Uppala is renowned as one of the best Cancer Specialist Doctors in the country, has performed more than 500 surgeries till now, and is an experienced surgical oncologist as well as a consultant. He is practicing at Ayu Health, Bangalore. He is a specialist in Surgical Oncology and MS - General Surgery Laparoscopic Surgeon.