Average Cost Of Cancer Treatment In South Africa

What is cancer Treatment?

Cancer treatment is the use of surgery, radiation, medications, and other therapies to cure cancer, shrink cancer or stop the progression of cancer. Many cancer treatments exist. Depending on your particular situation, you may receive one treatment or you may receive a combination of treatments.

Average Cost Of Cancer Treatment In South Africa

The Independent Clinical Oncology Network3 in South Africa estimates that, depending on the type of cancer, treatment locally can cost anything between R10 000 and R1 million per patient, per year.

How much does chemo cost in South Africa?

In South Africa, the cost of cancer treatment is very high, and a study conducted in 2020 to estimate the cost of chemotherapy in the public sector arrived at a whopping R15 774 as the average care cost per patient.

How much does cancer surgery cost in South Africa?

A rough estimate of costs relating to cancer treatment in South Africa

General consultationR590
MastectomyR62 000
Reconstructive surgeryR50 000-R140 000
Hormonal therapyR650-R2 500 per month
ChemotherapyR25 000 for 4 cycles-R140 000 for 6 cycles

How much does it cost to get cancer surgery?

“Every type of cancer has a different sequence of treatment,” says Dr. Saha. Surgery: Depending on the affected body part, the surgery can range from Rs 1 lakh to several lakhs.

Is chemotherapy painful?

Does chemotherapy hurt? IV chemotherapy should not cause any pain while being administered. If you experience pain, contact the nurse taking care of you to check your IV line. An exception would be if there is a leak and the drug gets into surrounding tissues.

Why is cancer treatment costly?

The cost of setting up an oncology unit is often considered the major reason for the spiraling cost of cancer care. “Today, a linear accelerator costs from Rs 6 crores to Rs 18-19 crores, based on the range of work that it can do. Further, the import duty makes it more expensive.