KARACHI, October 12, 2026: Cancer specialists have warned that around 25% of cancer patients leave treatment incomplete because of financial difficulties, while more than 60% of breast cancer patients experience delays in reaching hospitals or receiving treatment.
Speaking at a two-day breast cancer conference organised by Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre (JPMC), experts highlighted the impact of expensive medicines, limited financial assistance, social stigma and misconceptions about cancer on patients’ access to timely care.
High Treatment Costs Force Patients to Discontinue Care
Dr Ghulam Haider, head of JPMC’s oncology department, said approximately one-quarter of cancer patients at the hospital discontinue treatment because they cannot afford the expenses. Treatment currently depends partly on donations, charitable organisations and Zakat funds, but this support is not always available consistently.
He warned that interruptions in medication and follow-up care can compromise treatment outcomes. If patients cannot receive the necessary medicines and treatment during the six months following surgery, the disease may return or progress.
Some patients leave hospitals when their financial resources run out and return months later with significantly enlarged tumours, reducing the chances of successful treatment.
According to Dr Haider, the cost of cancer treatment—from surgery to completion of the treatment plan—can reach Rs3 million to Rs4 million, including surgery, radiotherapy, medicines and injections. Additional medicines, antibiotics and other medical services may increase the total cost.
He urged the government to establish a sustainable financial assistance system for cancer patients rather than relying primarily on charitable donations.
Social Stigma and Misconceptions Delay Treatment
Dr Saima Zahoor, assistant professor of medical oncology at JPMC and co-chair of the conference, said more than 60% of breast cancer patients face delays during diagnosis or treatment.
She identified fear of death, social pressure, embarrassment about discussing breast health, misconceptions about biopsies and the high cost of treatment as major barriers.
Some women delay medical consultations despite discovering a breast lump because they fear social judgement. Others mistakenly believe that a biopsy can spread cancer or postpone treatment because they are afraid of chemotherapy, surgery or hair loss.
Experts also warned that some patients turn to alternative treatments instead of seeking timely medical care, losing valuable time before eventually reaching a hospital.
Dr Zahoor said some women begin treatment in private hospitals but discontinue it when they can no longer afford medicines and chemotherapy. Patients with HER2-positive breast cancer may require expensive targeted medicines, and seeking financial assistance from public or charitable sources can cause further delays.
She stressed that early diagnosis and timely treatment significantly improve the chances of recovery. Women who notice unusual changes in their breasts should consult a qualified medical professional promptly.
Is Removing the Entire Breast Always Necessary?
Dr Syeda Zareen Raza, a general surgeon at JPMC, said breast cancer may present with a lump, nipple discharge or, in some cases, pain. Diagnosis may involve ultrasound, mammography and biopsy, after which specialists determine the appropriate treatment based on the cancer’s type and stage.
She explained that treatment is not the same for every patient. Some may require chemotherapy before surgery, while others may undergo surgery first.
Dr Raza said removing the entire breast is not necessary in every case. Breast-conserving surgery and oncoplastic procedures can allow suitable patients to have the cancer removed while preserving breast tissue and helping maintain body image and quality of life.
Experts Call for a National Breast Cancer Registry
Dr Sana Zeeshan of Aga Khan Hospital called for a national breast cancer registry to bring together patient information from public, private and charitable hospitals.
She said a centralised database should record patients’ ages, cancer stages, tumour characteristics, treatments, recurrence and survival outcomes. Such information could help identify gaps in care, support medical research and improve health policies.
Citing World Health Organization figures, she noted that an estimated 2.3 million women worldwide were diagnosed with breast cancer in 2022, while approximately 670,000 deaths were reported.
She emphasised that early diagnosis, access to quality treatment and better coordination between hospitals are essential to reducing breast cancer deaths.
Screening and Affordable Medicines Could Reduce the Burden
Dr Najeeb Naematullah of Shaukat Khanum Hospital said the financial burden of cancer treatment can force some families to sell property or take out loans. He called for large-scale screening programmes to help identify breast cancer at an earlier stage.
Mammography can help detect breast cancer early, potentially making treatment less complex and improving outcomes. However, nationwide screening would require a coordinated government programme and substantial financial resources.
He added that locally manufactured and generic medicines could help lower treatment costs, provided their quality, safety and effectiveness are assured.
Dr Naematullah also called for treatment plans that consider the cancer’s characteristics, the prospects of recovery and the patient’s financial circumstances.
Conference guest of honour Dr Tariq Rafi, chairman of the Sindh Higher Education Commission, highlighted the importance of screening, public awareness, medical research and stronger collaboration between institutions. He said medical universities needed better research capacity and improved systems for sharing patient data.