The number of women receiving treatment for breast cancer in India is projected to rise by 50,000 annually this decade, with the economic burden estimated to average $19.55 billion per year, according to a study published in Nature.
Titled “Economic Burden of Breast Cancer in India, 2000–2021 and Forecast to 2030”, the research leverages data from the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) database and employs ARIMA statistical modeling to forecast trends while accounting for historical patterns.
The study adopted a bottom-up approach to estimate direct costs, including hospital visits, treatment, and follow-up care. Data from a 34-month study conducted by the International Institute for Population Sciences (IIPS) at the Tata Memorial Centre was used, tracking 500 breast cancer patients. The findings highlight the severe financial strain faced by most breast cancer patients, with rural and economically disadvantaged households being disproportionately affected.
Underestimated Costs
“We excluded factors like depreciating currency and private healthcare expenses. Treatment costs post-2021 were also not considered due to limited data, making this an underestimation,” explained Dr. Denny John, a public health professor at M S Ramaiah University of Applied Sciences and the study’s lead supervisor.
Breast cancer treatment costs vary widely depending on the stage of diagnosis. Kashaf Shaikh, a 34-year-old triple-negative breast cancer survivor, shared that she spent Rs 18 lakh on diagnosis, chemotherapy, surgery, and other treatments at private hospitals, relying on family support to cover expenses.
Financial Strain on Working Women
Dr. Vani Parmar, Chief of Breast Surgical Oncology at Punyashlok Ahilyadevi Holkar Head and Neck Cancer Institute, emphasized the multifaceted impact of treatment costs. “Younger working women face significant income disruption. While medical advances improve outcomes, they come at high costs. At institutions like Tata Memorial Hospital (TMH), drugs are subsidized and discounts are offered, but this isn’t the case for all corporate hospitals,” she said.
Call for Policy Reforms
Dr. John stressed the need for policy interventions to address the growing economic burden. “Breast cancer’s economic impact on GDP is significant. Women form a crucial part of the workforce, and this is a wake-up call for Indian corporates to adopt supportive policies for their employees,” he added.
As reported by economictimes, the study urges policymakers to prioritize investments in healthcare infrastructure to mitigate the financial burden on patients and boost economic productivity. With breast cancer cases on the rise, addressing these challenges remains critical to improving health and economic outcomes.