The Economics Of Cancer Care

It is time for healthcare stakeholders to synergise and strategise to navigate the complex maze of cancer economics to ensure delivery of affordable and equitable cancer care in India.

- Mansha Gagneja

Cancer care is an essential component of all health systems. The economic burden of cancer is considerable and is increasing significantly. According to American Cancer Society Report, the total economic impact of premature death and disability from cancers worldwide was $895 billion in 2008, representing 1.5 percent of the world’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP). This figure increased to approximately $1.16 trillion as per the World Cancer Report 2014 by International Agency for Research on Cancer. Yet, with only limited knowledge available, we are far from analysing the spendings associated with cancer care. Considering the immense impact of cancer on patients and their families, in terms of physical health and financial health, there is an urgency to identify more evidence about the cost efficacy of cancer care.

The India story

With limited sustained funding and only a few centres of expertise in India, the domestic situation is much worse in comparison to the global scenario. Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), in its 2016 projection, said that the total number of new cancer cases is expected to be around 14.5 lakh and the figure is likely to reach nearly 17.3 lakh new cases in 2020. Data also revealed that only 12.5 percent of patients come for treatment in early stages of the disease. The fact that often cancer is diagnosed only at critical stages adds to the already steep economic burden that the ailment poses on the nation. The situation is worsened when people with a genetic predisposition to cancer, for instance incidence of breast cancer in close relatives, also feel no necessity to get screened.

The cost angle