Why cost of cancer treatment is rising in India?

 

Why Cancer Treatment is Becoming Expensive in India?

Cancer treatment in India has seen remarkable advances, offering hope and better outcomes for patients. However, with these advancements, the cost of cancer care is also rising significantly. Understanding the factors behind the high expenses associated with cancer treatment can shed light on why it’s becoming a financial burden for many families in India. Below are some critical reasons driving up the cost of cancer treatment:

1. Increased Import Duties on LINAC Machines

Linear Accelerators (LINACs) are essential for delivering precise radiation therapy to cancer patients. However, most of these high-end machines are imported, and the recent rise in import duties has added to their cost. The increased expense is passed on to patients as treatment charges, contributing to the high price of radiation therapy sessions. High import duties also impact the affordability of setting up new radiation oncology departments, limiting access to advanced treatment in many parts of the country.

2. The Entry of Immunotherapy

Immunotherapy is revolutionizing cancer treatment by harnessing the body’s immune system to fight cancer cells. While it offers promising results for some cancers, it comes with a high price tag. Immunotherapy drugs are still new to the Indian market, and the cost of each cycle can be prohibitively high. These medications are often imported, and their innovative nature makes them costly to produce, leading to high expenses that add to the financial strain on patients.

3. Late-Stage Diagnosis and Multimodal Treatment Requirements

Many patients in India are diagnosed at advanced stages of cancer, necessitating a combination of treatments. Advanced cancers typically require multimodal treatment—surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy, or even a combination that includes immunotherapy. The need for multiple therapies in these cases escalates treatment costs. Earlier detection through regular screenings and awareness campaigns could reduce the need for multimodal approaches and make treatment more affordable.

4. Regulations for Establishing Cancer Hospitals

Cancer care facilities require strict compliance with government regulations in India, covering aspects like infrastructure, safety standards, and equipment quality. These regulations are essential for patient safety and high-quality care but add significantly to the cost of setting up and running a cancer hospital. Consequently, hospitals need to charge higher fees to cover these regulatory expenses, which can make treatment more expensive for patients.

5. Highly Skilled Workforce and Technology-Dependent Treatment

Cancer treatment requires a team of highly skilled professionals, including oncologists, radiation therapists, nurses, and technicians. Training and retaining qualified personnel in cancer treatment is expensive. Furthermore, the use of sophisticated technologies, such as LINAC machines for radiation therapy, requires specialized operators and support staff. Hospitals pass these costs onto patients to ensure they receive safe, effective treatment from a trained team.

6. Advanced Imaging and Molecular Diagnostics

Accurate diagnosis is crucial for effective cancer treatment, and modern diagnostic tools such as MRI, PET-CT scans, and molecular tests have become the gold standard. While these technologies allow for detailed and precise diagnoses, they come at a premium. Each scan or test can be costly, and in many cases, multiple tests are required throughout the course of treatment to monitor progress and adapt strategies. The reliance on these technologies significantly increases the overall treatment cost.

7. Robotic-Assisted Surgeries

Robotic surgery is gaining popularity in cancer care due to its precision and reduced recovery times. However, robotic surgery systems are incredibly costly to acquire and maintain. Operating these systems also requires specialized training, adding to the costs. While these surgeries provide benefits in terms of patient outcomes and reduced complications, their high costs make them inaccessible to many patients without substantial financial resources.

Conclusion

The increasing cost of cancer treatment in India is a multi-faceted issue, influenced by the growing need for advanced technologies, skilled manpower, and complex treatment regimens. From high import duties on essential equipment to the latest innovations in diagnosis and treatment, every step toward better care seems to bring additional expenses. For patients, this can be daunting, as the financial implications of cancer treatment often lead to significant economic strain on families. Making treatment affordable will require collaborative efforts from government, healthcare providers, and industry players to find sustainable ways of reducing costs while maintaining high standards of care.

Dr. M G Giriyappagoudar

Senior Consultant Radiation Oncologist

Associate Prof Dept of Radiation Oncology, KIMS

Vis Consultant at HCG NMR Cancer Centre, Radon Cancer Centre