{
  "id": 13970211,
  "title": "25% of Cancer Patients Stop Treatment Due to High Costs",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/12/25-of-cancer-patients-stop-treatment-due-to-high-costs",
  "topic": "health",
  "section": "Health & Medicine",
  "published": "2026-10-12T13:26:18.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "ProPakistani",
    "slug": "propakistani",
    "url": "https://propakistani.pk/2026/10/12/25-of-cancer-patients-stop-treatment-due-to-high-costs/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Approximately one-quarter of cancer patients at Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre cease treatment due to financial challenges, despite generally receiving free care, doctors have indicated. The high expense of advanced therapies and uncertain financial support emerge as primary factors. At the Breastcon 2026 conference's final day, oncology department head Dr Ghulam Haider urged the government for permanent assistance to aid patients in completing treatment. He emphasized that charitable donations alone are insufficient. Dr Haider stated that philanthropists, charities, and Zakat funds contribute to cancer care at JPMC, yet this aid is not consistently available. Disruptions in medicine supplies and funding can interrupt treatment and adversely impact outcomes. He approximated the expense of comprehensive cancer care, encompassing surgery, radiotherapy, medicines, and injections, to be Rs3 million to Rs4 million. Some patients return home after depleting their resources and relapse months later with larger tumors, diminishing their prospects for effective treatment. Assistant Professor of Medical Oncology Dr Saima Zahoor reported that over 60 percent of breast cancer patients encounter delays in diagnosis or treatment due to social pressure, fear, misconceptions, and cost. She noted that some women abstain from seeking medical advice due to embarrassment, while others opt for alternative treatments, resulting in months of delay before seeking hospital care. Women who commence private treatment frequently halt after being unable to afford medications and chemotherapy. Dr Zahoor advised women to consult a qualified physician regarding any irregular breast changes, emphasizing that early diagnosis and timely treatment enhance recovery. General surgeon Dr Syeda Zareen Raza explained that specialists determine the sequence of chemotherapy or surgery based on the cancer's stage and type. She emphasized that complete breast removal is not mandatory for every patient, and suitable individuals can undergo breast conservation or oncoplastic surgery. Dr Sana Zeeshan from Aga Khan University Hospital advocated for a national breast cancer registry integrating records from public, private, and charitable hospitals to pinpoint gaps and guide research. Dr Najeeb Naimatullah of Shaukat Khanum Hospital asserted that treatment costs can compel families to borrow money or sell their homes. He called for organized screening and availability of quality local and generic medications. Sindh Higher Education Commission Chairman Dr Tariq Rafi, as the chief guest, called for enhanced screening, institutional collaboration, and medical research. He noted that the commission could support researchers through existing funding.",
  "summary": "About 25 percent of cancer patients at Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre abandon treatment because of financial hardship despite largely free … Read More The post 25% of Cancer Patients Stop Treatment Due to High Costs appeared first on ProPakistani .",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}