Breast Cancer Treatment Cost in Bangalore

What impacts the Breast Cancer Treatment Cost in Bangalore? 

The breast cancer treatment cost in Bangalore can range from Rs.2,00,000 to ₹20,00,000+, but they differ based on the type of treatment and the hospital. The cost of breast cancer treatment differs based on the surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, complexity of the case and the hospital's infrastructure.       

What is a breast cancer treatment?  

Breast cancer treatment is a mixture of approaches, like surgery, hormone therapy, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, targeted therapy, and immunotherapy, based upon the stage and characteristics of the cancer. This treatment is personalised and might involve a mixture of these methods.   

What affects the breast cancer treatment cost in Bangalore?   

The breast cancer treatment cost is influenced by many factors, such as the cancer stage, type of cancer, the specific treatment plan (surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, etc.), the patient's overall health, the type of hospital, and the duration of treatment and follow-up care. Also, the location of the treatment facility impacts the breast cancer treatment. Let's have a look at the factors that affect the cost of breast cancer treatment.     

Stage and Type of Cancer  

More advanced stages and aggressive types of cancer need extensive and costly treatment.

• Type of Treatment : Different treatment modalities (such as surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, hormone therapy, and targeted therapy) have differing costs. 
• Type and Location of Hospital : Private hospitals and facilities in urban areas often have higher costs compared to government hospitals or those in rural settings. 
• Patient's Health : Pre-existing health conditions, overall health status and age can impact the treatment plan and related costs. 
• Treatment Duration and Follow-up : Longer treatment courses, like chemotherapy and radiation, and ongoing follow-up appointments account for the higher overall costs. 
• Diagnostic Tests : The cost of diagnostic tests like mammograms, biopsies, ultrasounds, and genetic testing can contribute to the total expenses. 
• Medications : The cost of medications, both during treatment and for managing side effects, can be a main factor.  
• Hospital Stay : The type of room selected (private, semi-private, etc.) and the length of hospital stay can affect the cost.
• Health Insurance Coverage : The extent of insurance coverage is an important role in determining out-of-pocket expenses.
• Surgery : Costs can differ depending upon the type of surgery (lumpectomy, mastectomy) and if the lymph node removal is needed. 
• Chemotherapy : The cost of chemotherapy is based on the specific drugs used, the number of cycles, and the time duration of treatment. 
• Radiation Therapy : The type of radiation therapy (brachytherapy, external beam) and the number of sessions affect the cost.    

What are the types of breast cancer treatment? 

There are many types of breast cancer treatment. Breast cancer treatment involves a mixture of therapies tailored to the individual's specific type and stage of cancer. Common treatments include surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, hormone therapy, targeted therapy, and immunotherapy. Let's have a look at the types of breast cancer treatment.    

• Surgery : Surgical procedures target clearing off the cancerous tumour and surrounding tissue. Types include lumpectomy (clearing off the tumour and a few surrounding tissues) and mastectomy (clearing off the entire breast).    
• Radiation Therapy  : High-energy rays help kill cancer cells, often after surgery to clear off any remaining cancer cells.
• Chemotherapy : Drugs help kill cancer cells, either before or after surgery, or for the treatment of metastatic breast cancer.
• Hormone Therapy : This treatment blocks hormones that can trigger breast cancer cell growth, especially for hormone receptor-positive cancers.    
• Targeted Therapy : Drugs that aim at particular molecules or pathways involved in cancer cell development, often used for HER2-positive breast cancer.   
• Immunotherapy : This treatment uses the body's immune system to fight against cancer cells and, in some cases, is used for triple-negative breast cancer.    

Which type of hospitals offer breast cancer treatment?

Breast cancer treatment is provided at many types of hospitals, like specialised cancer centres, multi-speciality hospitals, and general hospitals that have oncology departments. Hospitals that have dedicated oncology units or cancer centres have the most comprehensive resources and expertise for breast cancer treatment.

• Cancer Centres : These facilities help diagnose and treat different kinds of cancer, such as breast cancer. They have a multidisciplinary team of specialists, such as surgeons, radiologists, oncologists, and other healthcare professionals.   
• Multi-Speciality Hospitals : Several large hospitals provide comprehensive cancer care, like breast cancer treatment, as part of their broader range of services. These hospitals may have dedicated oncology departments or cancer centres within the larger facility.
• General Hospitals : Some general hospitals might also provide breast cancer treatment, particularly if they have an oncology department or collaborate with nearby cancer centres.  

What happens during a Breast Cancer Treatment? 

Breast cancer treatment usually starts with surgery to clear off the tumour and potentially a few lymph nodes. After surgery, other treatments such as radiation, hormone therapy, chemotherapy, targeted therapy, or immunotherapy may be used, based on the particular characteristics of the cancer and the individual patient.

1. Diagnosis and Staging

1. Biopsy : A breast tissue sample is taken to see the presence of cancer and identify its type and characteristics.  
2. Imaging : Different imaging techniques (mammograms, ultrasounds, MRIs, etc.) help find out the size and location of the tumour and if it has spread to other regions.
3. Staging : The stage of the cancer (0-IV) is found out depending on the size of the tumour and whether it has spread to lymph nodes or other parts of the body.    

2. Treatment Planning

1. Multidisciplinary Approach : A team of specialists (surgeons, oncologists, radiation oncologists, etc.) will make a personalised treatment plan.
2. Factors Influencing Treatments : The treatment plan considers the stage of the cancer, its characteristics (hormone receptor status, HER2 status, etc.), and the patient's overall health and preferences.
3. Treatment Options : The common treatment options include surgery, radiation therapy, hormone therapy, chemotherapy, targeted therapy, and immunotherapy.

3. Treatment Stages

1. Surgery 

1. Lumpectomy : It involves removal of the tumour and a small portion of surrounding tissue.  
2. Mastectomy : This procedure involves removal of the whole breast.
3. Lymph Node Removal: It involves removal of some or all lymph nodes under the arm to check for cancer spread.  

2. Other Treatments

1. Radiation Therapy : In radiation therapy, high-energy rays are used to kill cancer cells or prevent their development.
2. Chemotherapy : Chemotherapy uses drugs to kill or shrink cancer cells throughout the body.

3. Hormone Therapy

It blocks the effects of hormones that can cause cancer growth.

1. Targeted Therapy : It aims at specific molecules involved in cancer cell growth.    
2. Immunotherapy : This helps the body's immune system fight against the cancer cells.  
3. Neoadjuvant Therapy : Treatment was given before surgery for the shrinking of the tumour.  
4. Adjuvant Therapy : Treatment given after surgery to target any rest of the cancer cells and prevent recurrence.   

4. Follow-up Care

1. Regular Checkups : Regular checkups with the healthcare team are important in monitoring the recurrence and handling any side effects.  
2. Support Services  : Support groups, counselling, and other resources are available that help patients cope with the emotional and physical challenges of breast cancer treatment.       

Facts about Breast Cancer Treatment

• Breast cancer treatment can be more expensive than other invasive procedures, especially because of the complexity and different treatments involved, like surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and targeted therapies.
• A team of specialists manages the breast cancer treatment. This team includes breast surgeons, radiologists, oncologists (medical, radiation, and surgical), plastic surgeons, genetic counsellors and other healthcare professionals.   
• Breast cancer treatment can be serious, but the severity differs based upon the stage and individual factors. Early-stage breast cancer is highly treatable, with excellent survival rates, while advanced stages can be challenging to treat, but treatment can enhance quality of life and extend life expectancy.
• Breast cancer incidence in Bangalore is among the highest in India, with the city ranking second or third nationally based on the year. Particularly, it has seen a major rise from 15 per lakh (age-adjusted rate) in 1982 to 40.5 per lakh in recent years. This increasing trend is concerning, with more than half of the patients presenting at stages 3 or 4, indicating late diagnosis.  
• Breast cancer treatment is considered worthwhile because of the significant improvements in survival rates and quality of life it provides compared to no treatment.
• The recovery time post breast cancer treatment differs based upon the type of surgery and other treatments obtained. In general, lumpectomy patients might be able to return to normal activities within 1 to 3 weeks, while mastectomy patients may require 3 to 4 weeks for basic recovery and up to 6 to 8 weeks with reconstruction.
• Surgery is a common and primary treatment for breast cancer, but it's usually used in conjunction with other therapies. While surgery targets to clear off the tumour, other treatments such as radiation, chemotherapy, hormone therapy, and targeted therapy help kill cancer cells that might stay or prevent the return of the cancer.   

The right time to begin breast cancer treatment is as soon as possible after diagnosis, but it's not always a matter to rush into the first available appointment. While early treatment is usually better, waiting some weeks to get the correct care plan in place is usually recommended and not harmful.