In the world of cancers, breast cancer tops the list of most commonly occurring cancers and also amongst those which can be successfully treated if detected early. However, for patients from the US, UK, Australia, and the Middle East, the overall cost of a complete treatment procedure comprising surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, and subsequent care can be quite exorbitant, even with health insurance coverage. The very reason many patients seek treatment in India is that state-of-the-art surgical procedures, the same chemotherapy drugs, and oncologists who have studied and gained experience at renowned institutes abroad can be accessed at a significantly lower cost.
Here we will break down the actual cost of breast cancer treatment in India, variations in cost in different Indian cities, factors affecting the total cost, and how Candormedi provides help for you and your family.
A complete breast cancer treatment plan in India: covering surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation for early to moderately advanced stages, typically costs between 2,000 USD to 12,000 USD. For international patients, most treatment packages that combine surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation fall in a narrower and more predictable 2,400 USD to 13,000 USD range depending on the patient's condition.
The total cost depends heavily on which treatments are needed and how many. Here's a rough breakdown by component:
|
Treatment Component |
Cost in INR |
Cost in USD |
|
Oncologist consultation |
500 – 2,000 |
6 – 23 |
|
Diagnostics (mammogram, biopsy, staging scans) |
15,000 – 60,000 |
170 – 680 |
|
Surgery (lumpectomy or mastectomy) |
1,00,000 – 4,00,000 |
1,140 – 4,550 |
|
Chemotherapy (per cycle) |
10,000 – 1,00,000 |
140 – 1,400 |
|
Chemotherapy (full course, 4–8 cycles) |
1,00,000 – 4,00,000 |
1,140 – 4,550 |
|
Radiation therapy |
1,00,000 – 4,00,000 |
1,140 – 4,550 |
|
Hormone therapy (per year) |
30,000 – 1,00,000 |
340 – 1,140 |
|
Targeted therapy (e.g., HER2-targeted drugs, per cycle) |
1,00,000 – 3,00,000+ |
1,140 – 3,400+ |
Note: Not every patient needs all the treatment listed. A person with breast cancer who is hormone sensitive may just need surgery and hormone therapy, but if he or she is HER2 positive or triple negative, surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and target therapy for one year or longer would be required. That is how the total bill gets to be so high.
|
City |
Treatment Cost (INR) |
Treatment Cost (USD) |
|
Delhi |
1,00,000 – 15,00,000 |
1,140 – 17,050 |
|
Gurgaon |
1,10,000 – 16,00,000 |
1,250 – 18,200 |
|
Noida |
95,000 – 13,50,000 |
1,080 – 15,340 |
|
Mumbai |
1,10,000 – 17,00,000 |
1,250 – 19,300 |
|
Bangalore |
1,00,000 – 15,50,000 |
1,140 – 17,600 |
|
Chennai |
90,000 – 13,00,000 |
1,020 – 14,770 |
|
Hyderabad |
85,000 – 5,50,000 |
970 – 6,250 |
|
Kolkata |
80,000 – 12,00,000 |
910 – 13,640 |
|
Country |
Treatment Cost (INR) |
Treatment Cost (USD) |
|
India |
2,10,000 – 9,70,000 |
2,400 – 11,000 |
|
United States |
13,20,000 – 44,00,000+ |
15,000 – 50,000+ |
|
United Kingdom |
17,60,000 – 39,60,000 |
20,000 – 45,000 |
|
Australia |
13,20,000 – 30,80,000 |
15,000 – 35,000 |
|
Dubai (UAE) |
8,80,000 – 22,00,000 |
10,000 – 25,000 |
|
Thailand |
7,04,000 – 17,60,000 |
8,000 – 20,000 |
|
Russia |
7,04,000 – 15,84,000 |
8,000 – 18,000 |
Various factors determine the final cost incurred by an individual patient:
Diagnosis stage: Early-stage cancer requires a lesser intensity of treatment than locally advanced and metastatic cancers.
Type of cancer: HER2-positive and triple-negative breast cancers require targeted or aggressive chemotherapy treatment.
Surgery type: A lumpectomy costs less than a mastectomy, and breast reconstruction raises the cost.
Number of chemotherapy sessions: More sessions mean high cost of chemotherapy.
Hospitals and location: Premium hospitals in metropolitan cities are relatively more expensive than mid-level or government hospitals.
Duration of hospitalization: Increased duration of hospital stay increases the cost.
Surveillance procedures: The ongoing cost of scans and laboratory tests over several years and post-hormone therapy increases the cost over time.
Breast cancer treatment cost for international patients will be different from one another depending upon the selected mode of treatment, facility of the hospital, and stay period in India.
The Above-mentioned Cost Generally Covers:
Consultation with oncologists and treatment planning
Diagnostic tests are mandatory both before and after the surgery
Charges of hospital stay, nursing, and medical treatment
Post-operation follow-up treatment till discharge
Fees for surgical operation (if surgery is included in treatment)
Medicines which are usually prescribed during the stay in the hospital
Excluded Services
Medicines after discharge from the hospital
Any complication arising from the treatment
Any extended rehabilitation or home care
Influence of Length of Stay on Total Cost
Chemotherapy, radiotherapy, immunotherapy or targeted therapy (in case of requirement separately)
International flights and visa charges, and accommodation outside the hospital.
The total cost of the treatment of international patients will not only depend upon the selected mode of treatment but also upon the duration of stay in the hospital. International patients are advised to make a provision of at least several weeks of stay in India.
Breast cancer treatment in India has been very successful, with a success rate between 80%-90%, particularly when the disease is detected early. Due to the presence of effective treatment, skilled medical practitioners, and certified hospitals in India, many patients have been able to benefit from their experience of breast cancer treatment. Recent developments in the field of breast cancer treatment have greatly improved the results.
Breast cancer starts when the cell division process is abnormal within breast tissues, primarily starting from the ducts or lobules of the breasts. The condition is prevalent among females across the globe, although it can affect males as well. The outcome depends largely on the stage of cancer at which the disease is diagnosed.
Treatment for breast cancer usually involves several treatments that will be tailored depending on the type and stage of cancer and the presence of receptors within the body:
Surgery: Either breast-conserving surgery or mastectomy with/without reconstruction
Chemotherapy: Before the surgery in order to shrink the tumors (neoadjuvant) or after the surgery in order to kill the remaining cancerous cells (adjuvant)
Radiation: After the surgery, particularly if the patient undergoes lumpectomy, in order to decrease the possibility of recurrence
Hormonal therapy: For the hormone-receptor positive cancer, taken for several years in order to decrease the risk of cancer recurrence
Targeted therapy: For HER2-positive cancer, the therapy blocks the action of the HER2 protein within the body
The treatment usually involves the combination of two or more types of therapy, depending on the tumor and response to the treatment.
India has built a strong reputation, especially when it comes to breast cancer care for the following reasons, apart from the low cost of services:
Substantial savings on cost: The total package of treatment is much cheaper than in the US, UK, or even Australia without compromising the quality of the drugs and protocols used.
Large case numbers: Major Indian cancer centers see large volumes of patients with breast cancer every year, giving specialists a lot of practical experience with the procedure.
Equal access to drugs and technologies: Access to targeted therapy, robotic and minimally invasive surgery, and advanced radiotherapy techniques (IMRT, VMAT).
Expertise in breast reconstruction: Immediate breast reconstruction is available in many hospitals as a part of the surgical procedure, which is usually more expensive or not available.
Quick initiation of the treatment process: Treatment can be started almost immediately upon arrival, since there are no lengthy specialist waiting lists.
Internationally accredited hospitals: International hospitals have JCI and NABH accreditations in addition to their local ones.
International patient support: Visa facilitation, interpreters, and accommodation are included in the services offered by major cancer centers.
Getting the best breast cancer treatments when you come from abroad involves coordination, understanding the type of treatment required, visa and travel arrangements – all while having to deal with a cancer diagnosis. Candormedi aims to relieve you from all of this and provide you with connections to appropriate doctors and hospitals for your specific case.
24x7 assistance to the patient, starting from the time the patient gets in touch till post-treatment follow-up
Free estimates from the top hospitals on treatment costs for comparison purposes
Connecting to breast cancer surgeons and oncologists working in NABH and JCI accredited hospitals
Helping with medical visa, travel, and accommodation requirements
Interpreter and language support in all your meetings at the hospitals
Transparent pricing structure with no hidden charges at any step
One contact point managing your case from initial consultation till recovery.
In case you wish to know more about treatment costs for breast cancer in India, Candormedi can assist you with that.
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