25% of Cancer Patients Stop Treatment Due to High Costs

Regarding 25 percent of cancer patients at Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre abandon treatment as of financial hardship despite largely free care, doctors have noted.

Key points

• Speaking on the closing day of the two-day Breastcon 2026 conference, oncology department head Dr Ghulam Haider pressed permanent administration assistance to support patients complete treatment.
• Dr Najeeb Naimatullah of Shaukat Khanum Hospital remarked treatment costs can force families to borrow capital or sell their homes.
• While applications to Baitul Mal or charities can further delay care, patients with HER2-positive breast cancer may need expensive targeted medicines.
• General surgeon Dr Syeda Zareen Raza remarked specialists decide whether chemotherapy or surgery should come first based on the cancer's stage and type.
• Dr Haider remarked philanthropists, charities, and Zakat funds backing cancer care at JPMC, but this support is not always available.

They pointed to the high cost of newer therapies and inconsistent financial assistance as key reasons.

Doctors remarked the public hospital provides surgery and radiotherapy free, but the high cost of newer immunotherapies and targeted therapies leaves some patients unable to continue treatment.

Speaking on the closing day of the two-day Breastcon 2026 conference, oncology department head Dr Ghulam Haider pressed permanent administration assistance to support patients complete treatment. He remarked reliance on charitable donations alone is not enough. Punjab to Build Kulsoom Nawaz Cancer Hospital by June 2029.

Dr Haider remarked philanthropists, charities, and Zakat funds backing cancer care at JPMC, but this support is not always available. Gaps in medicine supplies and funding can interrupt treatment and harm outcomes.

He estimated the cost of complete cancer care, including surgery, radiotherapy, medicines and injections, at Rs3 million to Rs4 million.

He remarked some patients return home after exhausting their resources and come back months afterwards with larger tumors, reducing their chances of successful treatment.

Assistant Professor of Medical Oncology Dr Saima Zahoor remarked more than 60 percent of breast cancer patients face delays in diagnosis or treatment as of social pressure, fear, misconceptions and cost.

While others fear that biopsy will spread cancer or turn to alternative treatments and lose months before reaching a hospital, she remarked some women avoid seeking medical advice despite finding a lump due to embarrassment.

Women who start private treatment sometimes stop after being unable to afford medicines and chemotherapy, she continued.

While applications to Baitul Mal or charities can further delay care, patients with HER2-positive breast cancer may need expensive targeted medicines. 100 Prisoners at Adiala Jail Test Positive for HIV.

Dr Zahoor pressed women to consult a qualified doctor concerning unusual breast changes, saying early diagnosis and timely treatment improve recovery.

General surgeon Dr Syeda Zareen Raza remarked specialists decide whether chemotherapy or surgery should come first based on the cancer's stage and type. She remarked removing the entire breast is not necessary for every patient, and suitable patients can undergo breast conservation or oncoplastic surgery.

Dr Sana Zeeshan of Aga Khan University Hospital pressed a national breast cancer registry combining records from public, private and charitable hospitals to assist identify gaps and guide research.

Dr Najeeb Naimatullah of Shaukat Khanum Hospital remarked treatment costs can force families to borrow capital or sell their homes. He pressed organized screening and access to quality local and generic medicines.

Sindh Higher Education Commission Chairman Dr Tariq Rafi. This person was chief guest, pressed stronger screening, institutional cooperation and medical research. He remarked the commission could backing researchers through available funding. Stay Connected with ProPakistani. Obtain the latest news and stories wherever you prefer. Follow on Google Discover. Follow on Google News Join WhatsApp. See more ProPakistani stories in Google Search and Top Stories.

Taken together, the developments around 25% of Cancer Patients Stop Treatment Due to High Costs point to a situation that is still moving, and the coming days should bring more clarity.