ECONOMIC IMPACT OF BREAST CANCER IN INDIA

GS3 ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT 

Recent studies highlight a significant rise in breast cancer cases in India, with projections estimating an additional 50,000 cases annually. The economic cost of this trend is expected to reach $19.55 billion per year by 2030, stressing the urgent need for healthcare reforms.

Rising Incidence

• Breast cancer cases in India increase by 5.6% annually.
• Age-standardized incidence rates for women rose 39.1% from 1990 to 2016.
• Younger women are more affected compared to those in Western countries.

Economic Burden

• The economic cost is projected to rise from $8 billion in 2021 to $19.55 billion by 2030, based on the ARIMA model.

Financial Strain on Patients

• A study of 500 patients found severe financial strain, especially for rural and low-income families, with only 9% having health insurance.

Contributing Factors

• Factors such as genetics, obesity, poor lifestyle choices, and environmental influences contribute to rising incidence. Co-morbidities like hypertension and diabetes also increase treatment costs.

Survival and Treatment Challenges

• Survival rates are lower than in Western countries due to late diagnoses, delayed treatments, and fragmented healthcare services.

Policy Recommendations

• Experts suggest routine screenings for high-risk groups and promoting health insurance coverage for preventive care to reduce economic strain.

Healthcare System Improvements

• Enhanced healthcare budgets are essential to cope with the rising burden, with a focus on rural areas and AI-based detection methods.

Community Health Initiatives

• Promoting healthier lifestyles and early detection through community health programs is key to reducing incidence and improving patient outcomes.