Due to high cost, 25pc of cancer patients at Karachi's JPMC abandon treatment, experts say

Karachi's Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre (JPMC) hosts a conference on cancer care, revealing that approximately 25% of patients abandon treatment due to the high cost of newer therapies. JPMC's oncology department head Dr Ghulam Haider urges the government to provide permanent assistance to ensure completion of treatment. With complete cancer care costs ranging from Rs3 million to Rs4 million, patients often struggle to afford newer immunotherapies and targeted therapies.

Professor of medical oncology Dr Saima Zahoor attributes delays in diagnosis and treatment to social pressure, fear, misconceptions, and the cost of treatment itself. She emphasizes the need for early diagnosis and timely treatment to improve recovery outcomes. Dr Syeda Zareen Raza, a general surgeon, highlights the importance of breast conservation and oncoplastic surgery in reducing appearance and hair loss-related fears.

Dr Sana Zeeshan from Aga Khan University Hospital calls for a national breast cancer registry to identify gaps and guide research, while Dr Najeeb Naimatullah of Shaukat Khanum Hospital advocates for organised screening, access to quality local and generic medicines, and consideration of patients' financial circumstances. Chief guest Dr Tariq Rafi, chairman of the Sindh Higher Education Commission, urges for stronger screening, collaboration between institutions, and medical research, promising the commission's support to researchers.