Why is Cancer Insurance Important?

Source: https://thebetterindia.com/86527/did-you-know-late-detection-cause-70-cancer-deaths/ https://www.business-standard.com/article/news-ians/70-cancer-patients-in-india-consult-doctor-at-terminal-stage-february-4-is-world-cancer-day-117020301268_1.htmlhttp://www.business-standard.com/article/news-ians/70-cancer-patients-in-india-consult-doctor-at-terminal-stage-february-4-is-world-cancer-day-117020301268_1.html

Many cancer cases are not reported, which means there are several people living with the disease, undiagnosed because it remains undetected.

Cancer, if genetic, cannot be prevented despite maintaining a healthy diet and lifestyle that includes no tobacco and alcohol. However, early detection and diagnosis can prevent an untimely death due to the disease.

Source: Call for Action: Expanding cancer care in India, EY

Ask anyone “What is cancer?” ”How does it happen?” or “What are the symptoms of cancer?” and you will likely be met with a blank stare. Very few people notice the occurrence of the symptoms in order to act on it sooner rather than later.

In the context of breast and cervix uteri cancer cases, awareness amongst women is low — symptoms, the possibility of early detection, available tests and the possibility of a cure for the disease is low.

According to a 2014 study published in the South Asian Journal of Cancer, the main barrier to screening was lack of information. The study, comprising 281 women showed the following results:

• Only 8.54% of women knew correctly what cancer means.
• And 30.96% knew that cancer is curable while 27.76% were under the impression that it wasn’t. However, 41.28% had no answer.
• Only 4.59% of women knew that cancer is curable upon both, early diagnosis and right treatment.
• 66% of women thought only early diagnosis could cure cancer, while 51.72% thought only the right treatment could help.

The results show that people need to be more aware of cancer, what it is, the causes, symptoms, and screening tests. Unless the common man has this information, there can be no immediate contact by way of consultation with a doctor. The consultation could trigger the process of detection and diagnosis that not only reduce treatment costs but provide better chances of recovery too.

On the other hand, late detection of cancer impacts survival rates and cost of treatment.

The cost of treating cancer is high. Upon early detection, costs can be as low as Rs.3 – 4 lakhs in India, provided the victim can continue with their job. However, based on various factors, costs can rise as high as Rs.20 – 50 lakhs, leading to borrowing or distress selling off possessions. Single chemotherapy can cost between Rs.16,000 – 45,000 per session, in top Indian hospitals.

As per a report in The Economic Times newspaper, costs have increased by over 300% between 2000 and 2015 for different cancer types[x]:

Source: Can you bear the cost of cancer treatment? ET, Jun 22, 2015

When it comes to actual treatment, India has serious constraints in terms of hospitals, staff, equipment and number of medical seats for oncology courses. For instance, only 30% of the available cancer centres have advanced imaging technologies such as PET-CT, which is essential for accurate diagnosis, staging and response monitoring of cancer.

In addition, access to multi-modal treatment options is inadequate and 40-60% of facilities and oncologists are concentrated in the top 7 to 8 metropolitan cities.

As the EY report (Call for Action: Expanding cancer care in India July 2015) states, lack of adequate infrastructure and absence of mass screening programmes still remain key barriers to timely and accurate diagnosis in India. There are an estimated 2,700 mammograms installed in India, representing less than 5% of that in the US. Additionally, the majority of the estimated 120 PET-CT scanners are in metros.

Source: Call for Action: Expanding cancer care in India, EY, July 2015

Remember, cancer insurance plans do not usually cover skin cancer and cancer caused by sexually transmitted infections, congenital or pre-existing conditions, and nuclear, biological or chemical contamination. However, cancer insurance is a secure option to ensure you are covered when facing this critical condition. Get a Quote today!

• Only 12.5 % of Cancer Patients Get Treatment in Early Stages. These New Advances Can Change That, February 11, 2017, The Better India
• In India, 10 lakh new cases of cancer detected every year, Sep 18, 2017, Times of India
• Cancer to be a major disease in India: change in lifestyle main culprit, MIO hospital, March 1, 2017
• Tobacco use accounts for 40 per cent of all cancers in India, says report, The Hindu, JULY 21, 2016
• Tobacco-related cancers in India: A review of incidence reported from population-based cancer registries, NCBI, 2016 Jul-Sep
• Cancer Hits More Women In India Than Men, But More Men Die Of It, NICPR, January 20, 2018
• Over 7 crore in India likely to suffer from cancer by 2021: IIHMR, The Hindu Business Line, January 12, 2018
• Call for action: Expanding cancer care in India, EY, July 2015
• Can you bear the cost of cancer treatment? Find out how to buy the best cover, Jun 22, 2015, Economic Times
• 'Orphan Drugs Act' a crying need in India - ACCI 2017, Sep 28, 2017, ACCI
• Why you should consider a cancer insurance policy, Aug 05, 2015, ET