Andhra Pradesh, known as the rice bowl of India, is all set to launch the country's first paddy production plant.Scheduled Tribes Comprehensive cancer screening program for women aged 30 years and above. With a main focus on early detection of breast, cervical and oral cancers, this initiative is motivated to tackle the rising costs related to cancer. Notably, breast, cervical and oral cancers are all included together 40% of cancer cases are in women,
1 of IndiaScheduled Tribes cancer screening program
Over the past five years, cancer-related expenditure has increased from 12.8% to 18.2% of total health expenditure, with significant increases in medical oncology (423%), radiation oncology (213%), and surgical oncology (73%).
Cancer treatment is considered extremely expensive, with studies showing that 34% to 84% of patients face high out-of-pocket costs.
According to the World Health Organization, “catastrophic health expenditure” is spending that exceeds 40% of a household's ability to pay for health care. India's National Health Policy 2017 defines spending that exceeds 10% of monthly consumption or 40% of non-food expenditure as catastrophic.
Now, one might wonder, how are catastrophic health expenditure and cancer screening programs related?
Early detection of cancer facilitated by the programme to reduce overall treatment cost
The answer is early detection of cancer! If cancer is detected early, it is expected to reduce the long-term treatment cost by up to one-third, as seen in studies by Tata Memorial Hospital, Mumbai and Homi Bhabha Cancer Hospital and Research Centre, Visakhapatnam.
Once treatment begins at an early stage, treatment is less intensive and more cost-effective, reducing overall mortality rates and giving survivors the opportunity to make a positive contribution to society.
The state's focus on early diagnosis is expected to reduce the financial pressure on the healthcare system over time.
On the contrary, the shift towards a screening programme raises immediate concerns about increased treatment costs and the need for expanded cancer care infrastructure. Andhra Pradesh is augmenting its medical resources and setting up comprehensive cancer care facilities across the state to support the new screening initiative.
