There is no dearth of stories of people who fought cancer and are now leading a happy, healthy life. These stories give hope to those who have been diagnosed with cancer and their families who are taking care of them. Still, it’s hard to imagine what a person with Stage 4 cancer has to go through on a daily basis. Another factor that keeps haunting individuals diagnosed with cancer is the amount of money being spent on their treatment. Well, there is a need for awareness about the Stage 4 cancer treatment cost in India. It will help people make well-thought-out decisions.
Stage 4 Cancer is the most advanced and severe stage of cancer. In this stage, the cancer has spread (metastasised) from its original site to distant parts of the body, such as other organs, lymph nodes, or bones. It is also known as metastatic cancer. Stage 4 cancer can have subtypes like Stage 4A or Stage 4B, depending on how far the cancer has spread in the body.
Symptoms vary depending on the organs affected. However, some common symptoms include severe pain in the affected area, increased fatigue and weakness, dizziness, seizures, abdominal swelling, shortness of breath, loss of appetite, headaches, etc.
The average Stage 4 cancer treatment cost in India ranges between INR 80,000 and INR 7,50,000. The cost varies due to multiple reasons, such as type of cancer, treatment modalities, duration of treatment, type of hospital and its geographical location, and the patient’s overall health condition. If you are at risk of cancer, it is advisable to add critical illness insurance to your health plan, which will save you from financial stress because cancer requires long-term treatment.
Let’s take a look at the estimated costs –
INR 2,00,000 to INR 6,00,000
INR 50,000 to INR 2,00,000 per cycle
INR 1,50,000 to INR 4,00,000 per cycle
INR 1,00,000 to INR 3,00,000 for a full course
INR 2,00,000 to INR 10,00,000 per cycle
Additional costs include expenses for diagnostic tests, hospitalisation (if required), palliative care, etc.
Compared to most Western countries, Stage 4 cancer treatment costs in India are significantly lower, which is why people from other countries visit India to get treatment. While the overall cost in the US is between INR 50 lakhs and INR 1 crore, in Thailand/Singapore, it is in the bracket of INR 10 lakhs and INR 30 lakhs.
Knowing the factors which affect the treatment cost will help you understand why there’s a cost variation –
All types of cancer do not have the same treatment procedure. Some may require intense treatments, leading to high costs.
If a patient requires a combination of therapies, such as surgery, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, radiation, or targeted therapy, it will impact overall cost.
If you prefer a multi-speciality hospital, cancer centre, or private hospital, you must be ready to shell out more as compared to getting treated in a government-run hospital.
The location also matters when it comes to medical expenses. If you are located in Bhopal, it will cost you much less than in a place like Mumbai or Bangalore.
Stage 4 cancer will require multiple cycles for a longer duration, which means the costs can accumulate over time.
The consultation and procedure fees are higher if you are under the care and treatment of specialised and renowned oncologists.
Opting for generic drugs is more cost-effective than branded medicines.
In Stage 4 cancer, a patient will require palliative care for managing symptoms. Similarly, domiciliary care, physiotherapy, and counselling sessions will increase the overall cost.
1. Undergoing treatment at government or charitable hospitals like Tata Memorial Hospital or AIIMS can cost less because they offer treatments at subsidised rates.
2. Generic drugs can help save on the cost because they are cheaper than branded or patented medications, even though generic medicines are equally effective.
3. Choose hospitals which are near to your home to reduce the cost of travel.
4. Some hospitals offer cancer treatment packages or deals which can work out cheaper. You can explore such offers.
5. Critical illness insurance with a high sum insured will help reduce your financial burden, as the insurer will ensure comprehensive protection against the exorbitant rates of treatment required to treat Stage 4 cancer.
Although Stage 4 cancer is an advanced stage of the ailment, it is not always terminal. Treatment options, which can include a combination of therapies such as surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, targeted therapy, or immunotherapy, can help improve the person’s overall health and quality of life. For financial protection against the high treatment costs, you must have a comprehensive health insurance policy, which can be an individual healthcare plan or family health insurance. However, the plan must have an adequate sum insured to help you tide over the financial crisis associated with the treatment of Stage 4 cancer.
Although Stage 4 cancer is an advanced stage of the ailment, it is not always terminal. The survival rate varies from person to person, and many patients live long and comfortable lives with the help of treatments.
Treating Stage 4 cancer involves chemotherapy, radiation therapy, immunotherapy, targeted therapy, and surgery (if required). It involves long-term treatment to control the cancer and improve the patient’s quality of life.
Experiencing side effects is normal, but if they continue for long, you must seek medical attention. Some common side effects include nausea, vomiting, fatigue, hair loss, infection, and pain in the affected areas.
Hair loss while undergoing cancer treatments is normal. Chemotherapy involves powerful chemicals to target and kill cancer cells, and losing all your hair is one of the side effects. But there’s nothing to worry about because hair regrows as the person recovers.
Yes. Critical illness healthcare plans come with a waiting period of 90 days from the date of policy purchase. There is also a survival period in such plans, i.e., the person has to survive a certain period after being diagnosed with cancer to be eligible for compensation. The survival period can vary from 14 days to a month, depending on your insurance provider.
Disclaimer: The above information is for illustrative purposes only. For more details, please refer to the policy wordings and prospectus before concluding the sales.
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