The most common cancer type among women in the world, breast cancer is one of the leading malignancies in the world today. Breast cancer accounts for 12.5% of all new annual cancer cases worldwide, and as per research, 1 in every 28 women is likely to be diagnosed with breast cancer in India. When it comes to treatment for this disease, the lines of treatment depend entirely on the staging, age, subtype, and overall health of the patient.
Who is At Risk ?
The female gender is most at risk when it comes to breast cancer. Approximately 0.5–1% of breast cancers are diagnosed and found in women. There are certain risk factors that increase the possibility of breast cancer. These factors include increasing age, obesity, excessive usage of alcohol, a family history of radiation exposure and tobacco use, and postmenopausal hormonal therapy. However, nearly half of breast cancer cases develop in women who have no identifiable breast cancer risk. There are certain inherited gene mutations that significantly increase breast cancer risk. The most dominant of these mutations include mutations in the genes BRCA1, BRCA2, and PALB-2.
Signs and Symptoms
Breast cancer can exhibit a series of symptoms, and these symptoms can vary significantly when the disease is at an advanced stage. Some of these symptoms include:
- A lump in the breast or a thickening, often without pain.
- A change in size, shape, or appearance of the breast.
- Dimpling or redness in the breast.
- Change in nipple appearance or the skin around the nipple (areola).
- Abnormal or bloody fluid from the nipple.
Lines of Treatments
Lumpectomy
A lumpectomy involves the removal of the tumor along with a small margin of surrounding healthy tissue. This procedure is also known as wide local excision or breast-conserving surgery. For smaller tumors, a lumpectomy could be advised. Patients with larger tumors would need to get chemotherapy in order to reduce the size of the tumor and enable a lumpectomy to remove it.
Mastectomy
A mastectomy is a procedure used to remove all breast tissue. The majority of mastectomy surgeries involve the removal of the areola, nipple, lobules, ducts, fatty tissue, and some skin (complete or simple mastectomy). Modern surgical methods like nipple- and skin-sparing mastectomy are becoming more and more popular.
Sentinel Node Biopsy
To find out if cancer has progressed to the lymph nodes, the surgeon will first remove the lymph nodes that receive lymph drainage from the tumor. There is extremely little possibility that any of the remaining nodes will have cancer, so if the tests come back negative, no more nodes will need to be removed.
Axillary Lymph Nodes Dissection
The surgeon will remove more lymph nodes from the armpit if malignancy is discovered in the sentinel lymph nodes.
Prophylactic Contralateral Mastectomy
Some women who have a strong family history of cancer or a genetic predisposition to the disease may decide to have their other healthy breast removed in order to treat their cancerous breast. The majority of women who have breast cancer in one breast do not go on to have cancer in the other. This is a serious choice that needs to be made after discussing the advantages and disadvantages of the surgery with the doctor.
Radiation Treatment
High-energy beams, such as protons or X-rays, are used in radiation therapy to target and kill cancer cells. When surgery is not an option or when the cancer has spread, this course of treatment is taken into consideration. External beam radiation therapy and stereotactic body radiotherapy are two methods that accurately target the breast with radiation while preserving the surrounding healthy tissues.
Targeted Treatment
Through the use of medications that target particular anomalies present in cancer cells, targeted therapy stops the proliferation of cancer cells. Patients can find out if they qualify for targeted therapy, a more individualized form of treatment, by laboratory analysis.
Immunotherapy
Through immunotherapy, cancer cells are recognised and attacked by the immune system of the body. Immunotherapy for cancer improves the body’s defenses against the disease by focusing on the proteins that cancer cells use to evade the immune system. Immunotherapy is used mostly for advanced breast cancer; however, it is a promising new treatment approach.
Chemotherapy
Drugs are given during chemotherapy to kill cells that divide quickly, particularly cancer cells. It may be used in conjunction with other therapies for advanced breast cancer and can be taken orally or intravenously. Chemotherapy is still a useful technique for managing the disease, even though it isn’t used as frequently as other methods.
Palliative Care
Palliative treatment, especially for patients with advanced breast cancer, aims to improve quality of life and relieve discomfort. A multidisciplinary team delivers this specialized medical care, which might be combined with curative procedures like radiation therapy, chemotherapy, or surgery. Palliative care aims to improve overall well-being for patients and their families by attending to their physical, emotional, and spiritual needs during the course of treatment.
India’s breast cancer treatment market offers a wide range of solutions that may be customized to meet the specific demands of each patient in order to improve quality of life and achieve better results. A multimodal approach is used to treat this difficult disease, ranging from innovative targeted medications and supportive palliative care to surgical measures.
How Much Does Breast Cancer Treatment Cost In Different Cities In India ?
The price for breast cancer treatment in India varies across different cities. Here is the approximate cost for breast cancer treatment in different cities in India:
- New Delhi: Rs. 112554 to Rs. 176046
- Gurgaon: Rs. 115440 to Rs. 173160
- Noida: Rs.108225 to Rs.180375
- Chennai: Rs. 115440 to Rs. 165945
- Mumbai: Rs. 118326 to Rs. 176046
- Bangalore: Rs. 112554 to Rs. 170274
- Kolkata: Rs.108225 to Rs.163059
- Jaipur: Rs. 101010 to Rs. 161616
- Mohali: Rs. 103896 to Rs. 245310
- Ahmedabad: Rs.96681 to Rs.160173
- Hyderabad: Rs. 11111 to Rs. 168831
*Please note that the cost information provided in this article is intended for general informational purposes only. Your doctor will be able to provide you with an accurate assessment of treatment costs based on your specific diagnosis and the severity of your condition.
Factors That Influence The Cost Of Breast Cancer Cost In India
Let us understand the factors that influence the cost of breast cancer in India:
Type of Treatment Suggested by a Doctor
The particular course of therapy that the physician recommends is a major factor in the final cost. The complexity, length of time, and costs associated with various treatment options, such as surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, targeted therapy, or immunotherapy, differ. Surgical interventions, for instance, may entail costs for anesthesia, operating room fees, surgeon fees, and post-operative care.
Hospital Selection, Location, and Certification
The cost of treating breast cancer can be significantly influenced by the hospital of choice. In comparison to hospitals in smaller towns or rural areas, hospitals in metropolitan cities or urban centers may typically have greater treatment expenses. The hospital’s accreditation status, including its membership in national and international healthcare associations, might also affect the price. Higher quality standards are frequently followed by accredited hospitals, which may be reflected in the cost of care.
Duration of Hospitalization
The length of hospital stay necessary for the treatment of breast cancer can have a big effect on the total cost. Longer hospital stays may be required for complex surgeries or rigorous treatment plans, which will increase the cost of lodging, nursing care, and facilities. Complications or the need for post-operative care may also prolong the hospital stay and raise expenses.
Further Medical Examinations, If Needed
Other medical investigations, such as diagnostic imaging (MRIs, CT scans), laboratory testing, or specialist consultations, can be required in addition to the initial therapy procedures. The total cost of care may increase as a result of these supplemental services.
Final Note
India is a ray of light for everyone looking for high-quality, reasonably priced breast cancer treatment. Patients can receive great care from oncologists who are dedicated to giving world-class treatment at a substantially lower cost than in developed countries. Patients also have the option to receive individualized care that is catered to their specific needs thanks to the wide range of treatment choices available, which include radiation therapy, immunotherapy, targeted therapy, and surgery.
Furthermore, customized treatment programmes are made possible by the adaptability and flexibility of Indian healthcare facilities, which improve patient outcomes and satisfaction. Although the accompanying cost estimate is meant to be used as a general reference, you should always speak with your oncologist for a precise estimate based on your particular diagnosis and health.
