Fear, stigma, financial concerns keep cancer patients from seeking timely care, says expert

VISAKHAPATNAM Early diagnosis of cancer, coupled with timely intervention and access to appropriate treatment, is crucial to improving survival rates and in helping patients lead a better quality of life, said Rupali Basu, senior vice president, regional business head - East and Andhra Pradesh, HCG Cancer Centre. Emphasising the need to strengthen cancer awareness and screening, Ms.

Basu said that many patients continued to approach hospitals only at an advanced stage of the disease owing to fear, social stigma, lack of awareness of early symptoms, financial concerns and geographical barriers to accessing specialised healthcare. Stronger community-level awareness programmes and accessible screening facilities could play a significant role in changing this trend, she said.

Speaking to The Hindu, she said that cancer was increasingly emerging as a concern across age groups and communities, with several factors, including an ageing population, tobacco consumption, cigarette smoking, changing lifestyles and environmental exposure, contributing to the growing burden.