Fighting Cancer is Now Easier with Low Cost Chemotherapy in India

Receiving a cancer diagnosis is a significant event in anyone's life. Though each diagnosis is unique, they all possess some characteristics of every other cancer diagnosis. As far as treatment options go, chemotherapy is currently the most frequently used. Chemotherapy is a systemic form of treatment intended to kill cancer cells and stop them from multiplying. While chemotherapy represents an integral part of a cancer patient's treatment plan, it is also expensive and, consequently, a major burden on the majority of patients (especially throughout Canada and the U.S.).

Over the last few years, cancer patients from around the globe have begun travelling to receive treatment, with India emerging as one of the best and most cost-effective destinations for patients seeking high-quality care through its advanced infrastructure, world-class oncologists, and significantly lower prices than in their home countries. This is especially true for many Canadian patients who choose to go to India for chemotherapy due to its highly advanced facilities, large number of experienced oncologists, and significantly less expensive care.

Cancer occurs when abnormal cells begin to grow uncontrollably. Chemotherapy works by targeting rapidly dividing cells to stop their growth and/or kill them altogether; as a result, it is effective at treating several types of cancer, including the following types:

Leukemia
Lymphoma
Carcinoma
Sarcoma
Myeloma

Successful cancer treatment is more likely when tumors are treated early on in their growth. In many cases, chemotherapy is used alone as the primary form of treatment or in conjunction with surgery, radiation therapies, or targeted therapies. Over the last ten years, India has seen a significant improvement in the availability of cancer treatment due to renovations to medical facilities, which enable cutting-edge technology and advanced treatment options to be used to provide patients with the best possible care.

Understanding Why Cancer Treatment is So Expensive

Cancer treatment involves a very long and complex medical process, and the costs incurred throughout this process are not only related to chemotherapy sessions but also to the various diagnostic services or testing, procedures, hospitalisations, post-treatment care, etc. The cumulative costs arise very quickly, especially when you consider the higher overall medical costs in other nations. Some direct costs associated with cancer treatment include:

Consultation fees for providers
Diagnostic testing such as MRI scanning, x-rays, etc.
Biopsy and FNAC testing
Medications and chemotherapy drugs
Hospitalisation or surgical fees

In addition to the above costs associated with cancer treatment, patients and their families will incur indirect costs that add to their financial burdens. Indirect costs for cancer treatment may include:

Lost wages from the patient during cancer treatment;
Long-term support from family caregivers beyond just the immediate support during treatment
Support for home or facility-based care and rehabilitation services;
Offering extra financial assistance to the other family member(s).

Patients in North America, particularly Canada and the United States, are often forced to delay their cancer treatment due to the exorbitant costs associated with this type of care. Additionally, many may have to wait several months before they receive an appointment with a specialist or get the results of their testing.

Reasons for Patients in Canada Selecting India for Their Chemotherapy Treatments

In the last decade, India has become an excellent provider of oncology treatment. Numerous hospitals across India now utilise advanced testing and diagnostic equipment, offer cutting-edge therapy options, and adopt a collaborative approach to delivering care to patients with cancer.

The most notable benefit for patients who choose to travel to India for their chemotherapy is significant cost savings. The costs associated with the delivery of Cancer treatments in India are typically much less than those in North America (hospitalisation, specialist visit, diagnostic tests, etc.).

Another key benefit to seeking chemotherapy and cancer-related diagnostics in India is the much shorter wait times for appointments and procedures. Patients can typically undergo diagnostic testing and start chemotherapy soon after arriving in India, giving them quicker access to much-needed care.

Additionally, the ability to travel from Canada to India has been greatly improved by the increase in flights and improved international connectivity. Canada now has many direct and connecting flights to several major cities in India, making travel to India for treatment much easier and more convenient for patients and their families.

Affordable Cancer Care in India

Indian hospitals now feature advanced technologies for oncology care and advanced imaging scanners, as well as numerous other diagnostic products found in leading-edge hospitals worldwide.

Various hospitals are located in all major cities and continue to invest heavily in state-of-the-art cancer therapies (e.g., chemotherapy), and they have access to Clinical Specialists with expertise in the specific type of cancer to help monitor patient progress throughout the duration of their treatment.

Many cancers are successfully treated in India, including but not limited to breast cancer, lung cancer, oral cavity cancer, cervical cancer, ovarian cancer and prostate cancer. Cancer centres in India often provide complete treatment for patients from their first visit for diagnosis through the various forms of medical treatment (chemotherapy, radiation, etc.) and follow-up for years to come.

In India, chemotherapy is often significantly less expensive than in similar healthcare systems in countries such as the United States or Canada, where common cancers can result in high treatment costs per year; whereas Indiaâ€™s costs for similar medical treatments can be significantly lower.

While costs may differ across healthcare systems, the quality of care provided in hospitals in India has consistently been shown to be comparable to that in other countries, as the majority of hospitals follow established International Treatment Guidelines and utilise current advanced medical technology.

Many health systems throughout India provide International Patient Services that assist with coordinating travel, arranging accommodations, and developing individualised treatment plans.

A Growing Destination for International Cancer Care

The rising awareness of global health care has increased the likelihood that patients will seek treatment in countries outside their own. As a result, India has emerged as a popular destination for international cancer patients seeking quality medical treatment, thanks to its combination of medical expertise, modern facilities, and low costs.

For Canadian cancer patients who need fast and affordable chemotherapy, India can provide them with a superior level of care while relieving them of a large portion of the financial burden. With the assistance of professional medical planning and cancer care experts, patients will be able to receive world-class cancer treatment at a low cost and continue to focus on the things they need to do to recover and feel well.