26 Nov, 2025
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26 Nov, 2025
This article is medically reviewed by Dr. Bhavisha Ghugare, Senior Consultant - Surgical Oncology & Breast Oncosurgery, HCG Cancer Centre, Borivali.
The cost of breast cancer treatment in India is influenced by several factors. If you or your family member is undergoing breast cancer treatment, it is important to be aware of all these factors to make informed decisions regarding the treatment.
HCG Cancer Centre provides various breast cancer services. These services include screening, diagnosis, prevention, treatment, and follow-up. These services are personalized based on the risk of breast cancer in healthy people and the stage of cancer and other factors in patients.
The breast surgical oncology department at the HCG Cancer Centre aims to treat the cancer effectively while preserving the function and appearance of the breast, whenever possible. The patients are provided adequate support to improve their physical, emotional, and psychological health.
People should understand their risk of developing breast cancer through awareness of the risk factors. Further, if they have any concerns or have suspicious symptoms detected during breast self-examination, they should not ignore the symptoms and immediately consult with their gynecologists.
Breast biopsy is usually considered a confirmatory test for breast cancer. When the doctor is suspicious about the symptoms, the patient is recommended to undergo various tests, such as blood tests and imaging scans (digital mammography or 3D mammography). Based on these tests, the doctor decides whether a biopsy is required.
A biopsy for breast cancer involves removing the suspicious breast tissue and examining it under the microscope to detect the presence of malignant cells.
Lumpectomy is a breast-conserving procedure. It removes only the tumor and the small margin of the surrounding tissue. The procedure is usually performed when the tumor is small and localized.
Lumpectomy allows preservation of most of the breast while ensuring complete removal of the breast cancer. Oncologists may also recommend radiation therapy after lumpectomy to kill any remaining cancer cells.
Mastectomy is a surgical intervention that involves the removal of the complete breast tissue. You may be recommended this procedure if a large tumor or multiple tumors are present and a lumpectomy is not feasible.
HCG Cancer Centre offers various types of mastectomies, nipple-sparing, and skin-sparing techniques. These procedures improve the cosmetic outcomes and assist in future breast conservation surgery.
The oncologists at the HCG Cancer Centre also recommend that patients undergo sentinel or axillary lymph node excision. The sentinel node is the first node that receives lymphatic drainage from the malignant lesion. The surgical oncologists at the HCG Cancer Centre detect, excise, and test the lymph node for the presence of malignant cells.
The advanced mapping techniques are used during the procedure to minimize tissue damage. It helps accurately stage the disease and guide further treatment.
HCG Cancer Centre also offers state-of-the-art breast reconstruction surgery to patients who have undergone a mastectomy. It assists patients in restoring the shape and symmetry of their breasts.
The plastic surgeons at the HCG Cancer Centre use both the tissue-based and implant-based breast reconstruction techniques. It enhances patients' self-confidence.
The above management options offered by the HCG Cancer Centre indicate its patient-centric approach. The hospital provides care to breast cancer patients at all steps to optimize treatment and improve the long-term outcomes.
The cost of breast cancer management in India varies significantly based on the clinical and non-clinical factors. Understanding these factors helps you to plan your finances effectively during your treatment journey.
The early-stage breast cancer generally requires less aggressive treatments, such as lumpectomy, while the advanced stages require combined treatment, such as surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy. Thus, the overall cost is relatively higher in advanced-stage breast cancer.
The treatment modality used in breast cancer treatment also affects the overall cost. The conventional treatment options, such as surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy, are relatively less costly compared to the advanced treatments, such as targeted therapy and immunotherapy.
The cost of breast cancer management also varies with the hospital type and the city. Care at multispecialty hospitals with advanced technology and infrastructure tends to be more expensive. Further, hospitals in metro cities are generally more costly than those in tier 2 cities.
Surgeons with extensive experience in breast cancer treatment charge a higher fee than those with relatively less experience. Further, the cost is higher if advanced technologies, such as robotics, precision diagnostics, and image-guided interventions, are involved in the management.
Patients with breast cancer also have to incur the long-term costs related to rehabilitation, hormonal therapy, follow-up consultations, and supportive medications.
You should request a detailed quotation for the complete treatment before you start the treatment; this will help you be prepared. Further, early diagnosis enables better treatment outcomes and greater affordability.
The cost of treatment for breast cancer depends on the hospital facilities and the type of therapy. For instance, the cost of breast cancer surgery in India varies between ₹1.5 and ₹5 lakhs based on whether the surgery done is a lumpectomy, mastectomy, or breast reconstruction.
Similarly, chemotherapy costs range from ₹50,000 to ₹2.5 lakhs per cycle, depending on the type of drug used and the number of cycles. Radiation therapy generally costs between ₹2 lakh and ₹5 lakh for a complete course.
Hormone therapy, used primarily for the human receptor-positive breast cancer, costs ₹2,000 to ₹10,000 per month. Targeted therapy is expensive because of the high-cost biologic drugs and costs about ₹75,000 to ₹2 lakhs per cycle.
A combination of multiple treatments, as generally required in most cases of breast cancer, significantly increases the overall cost but also improves the treatment efficacy and survival outcomes.
The cost of treating breast cancer is directly linked to the stage of cancer at diagnosis.
If you experience any of the breast cancer symptoms, consult a doctor as soon as possible, as early detection and timely treatment significantly lower the overall treatment cost and improve the overall outcomes.
The city in which you are undergoing treatment for breast cancer also affects the overall cost of the treatment, indicating a variation across various cities.
For instance, the breast cancer treatment cost in Bangalore is relatively higher than the breast cancer treatment cost in Ahmedabad. Hospitals, like HCG Cancer Centre, offer comprehensive care at a reasonable price so that patients from all walks of life have access to the care they deserve.
The cost of treating breast cancer in Delhi offers a balance of affordability and advanced care. Several government and private cancer hospitals offer cancer treatment at affordable prices.
The cost of treatment in Mumbai is relatively higher because of world-class facilities and higher living costs.
Bangalore offers high-quality treatment with modern infrastructure, and the cost of treatment is slightly lower than in Mumbai. The treatment cost in Chennai is affordable with advanced oncology care, especially in multispecialty hospitals with experienced oncologists.
Hyderabad also has high-quality, advanced, cost-effective treatment in various cancer hospitals.
Most insurance providers in India cover the costs of breast cancer treatment. The treatment includes surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, and hospitalization.
The hospitals in the insurance provider network generally offer cashless options to patients. Some policies also cover the pre- and post-hospitalization expenses, medications, and diagnostic tests.
Some insurers also provide critical illness plans to cover the long-term treatment costs. You should review the policy terms carefully and understand the coverage and the waiting periods to ensure financial protection.
Several financial assistance programs in India help breast cancer patients manage their treatment costs. Various government schemes provide full or partial coverage for eligible patients. These include the Central Government Health Scheme, Ayushman Bharat, the Employees' State Insurance Corporation, and the State Illness Alliance Funds.
Certain charitable trusts, such as the India Cancer Society, the Tata Memorial Hospital Trust, the Cancer Patients Aid Association, and the Indian Cancer Society, also provide financial aid for medications, diagnostics, and therapy.
HCG Cancer Foundation, a sister concern of HCG Cancer Centre, provides financial support to certain patients who cannot afford their cancer treatment.
Patients with breast cancer also receive financial assistance from some non-government organizations and crowdfunding platforms for raising funds for expensive treatments, such as targeted therapy or immunotherapy.
Although a significant proportion of the overall cost of breast cancer treatment is of medical procedures and medications, several indirect costs also increase the overall financial burden. Knowing these costs helps in appropriate financial management.
Various diagnostic tests, such as advanced imaging, including mammograms, CT scans, PET scans, etc.; pathological examination; biopsy; and HER2 and BRCA genetic testing, add to the cost, depending on the frequency of testing.
Longer hospital stays or recovery periods increase overall room costs, nursing, and attendant charges. If the patient is traveling from smaller towns to the metro city, the stay charges for family members also add to the cost.
Frequent hospital visits for treatment cycles, such as chemotherapy or radiation therapy, during treatment and follow-up result in travel costs, particularly for outstation patients.
Additional expenses also include regular check-ups, physiotherapy, and psychological counseling.
You should address these hidden costs by confirming with the insurance provider or through government schemes to avoid financial strain.
Treatment of breast cancer in India is significantly more affordable than in several Western countries without compromising on the quality of care. The treatment in India costs 60-80% less than in the United States, Singapore, and the United Kingdom.
For instance, a complete breast cancer treatment plan, including surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy, may cost around ₹8 to ₹20 lakhs in India, compared to ₹60 lakhs to ₹1 crore in the US or ₹40–60 lakhs in the UK.
Despite the affordability, the cancer hospitals in India, such as HCG Cancer Centre, offer world-class care with advanced technologies and experienced oncologists.
Shorter waiting times, affordability, and customized care make India a preferred country for receiving high-quality breast cancer treatment.
You should plan the financials effectively to lower the stress associated with breast cancer treatment. To manage your expenses, you may use the following strategies.
You should not ignore your symptoms and get them evaluated in detail in order to understand the underlying cause.
Treating early-stage cancer requires simpler, less costly treatments. You should undergo regular screening, especially if you are at elevated risk for breast cancer or have a history of other cancers.
Seeking a second opinion may also help you to find less costly treatment options.
You should discuss all your treatment options, including surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, and breast reconstruction, with your oncologist. Knowing the details of the costs at each step will help you avoid unexpected expenses.
You should use your health insurance policy to cover the cost of treatment. You should check the inclusions of your policy with the insurance provider to confirm your coverage for diagnostics, hospitalization, and advanced therapies.
You should explore government schemes such as Ayushman Bharat, state health funds, and CGHS. You should also obtain detailed information about various charitable trusts that fund cancer treatment.
There is significant variation in costs between hospitals within a city and between hospitals in different cities. You should compare the costs of various accredited centres that offer quality care at competitive prices.
You should budget for travel, accommodation, and follow-up visits to avoid any unexpected expenses that may cause financial stress.
Advanced therapies, such as targeted therapy and immunotherapy, have improved the prognosis of breast cancer by providing highly effective options.
These treatments are especially effective in patients with HER2-positive and triple-negative cancers. However, these drugs significantly increase the cost of overall treatment compared to conventional chemotherapy.
Targeted therapy specifically targets malignant cells while sparing healthy tissues. However, the cost of each cycle of targeted therapy ranges from about ₹75,000 to ₹2 lakhs, depending on the drug and dosage.
Similarly, immunotherapy, which boosts the immune system, can cost ₹2 to ₹4 lakhs per cycle, thereby significantly increasing the cost of treatment. The cost is significantly higher in patients with advanced-stage breast cancer.
Although these therapies significantly improve survival rates, lower the risk of recurrence, and increase overall quality of life, their high cost makes them unaffordable for many patients.
To help patients plan their finances effectively, at HCG Cancer Centre, we offer financial counseling to help patients explore insurance plans, government schemes, and drug-access programs offered by the manufacturers of these medications.
HCG Cancer Centre offers several benefits to patients undergoing breast cancer treatment.
HCG Cancer Centre is one of the best hospitals for breast cancer treatment in India. The advanced breast cancer treatments available at the hospital include sentinel lymph node mapping, image-guided radiation therapy, oncological and reconstructive breast surgery, and targeted or hormonal therapies.
At HCG Cancer Centre, every patient with breast cancer is managed by an experienced and dedicated team comprising medical oncologists, breast surgeons, radiologists, pathologists, and radiation oncologists. It allows for a personalized treatment plan according to the overall condition.
HCG Cancer Centre provides patients with all the necessary facilities throughout their cancer treatment journey.
Along with the diagnostic and treatment services, the hospital also offers counseling, nutritional support, physiotherapy, and emotional and psychological support.
HCG Cancer Centre has centres of excellence in major cities in India, such as Mumbai, Bangalore, Kolkata, and Ahmedabad, along with comprehensive centres in tier 2 and 3 cities to provide high-quality, affordable breast cancer care.
The combination of experience, innovation, and empathy towards patients with breast cancer, HCG Cancer Centre provides trusted and complete breast cancer treatment.
Undergoing breast cancer treatment is physically, emotionally, and financially stressful. You should not ignore the symptoms, as early detection significantly lowers the cost of treatment.
While planning the financials for the treatment, you should consider both direct and indirect costs.
Various strategies, such as exploring insurance plans, availing schemes offered by the central and state governments, and comparing hospital costs, may help reduce your financial stress.
Dr. Bhavisha Ghugare
Senior Consultant - Surgical Oncology & Breast Oncosurgery
MBBS, MS (General Surgery), Fellowship in Breast Cancer Surgery
Dr. Bhavisha Ghugare is a highly experienced breast cancer consultant and oncoplastic surgeon with over 16 years of experience. She is available for consultations at HCG Cancer Centre, a well-known cancer hospital in Borivali. She specializes in breast surgical oncology, and her areas of expertise include family history risk assessment, genetic testing, and breast screening, as well as breast conservation surgery, skin-sparing mastectomies, and prophylactic mastectomies. In addition, she is committed to caring for patients with benign and malignant diseases, as well as educating young women on how to reduce their risk of breast cancer.
Appointment Link: Book an Appointment with Dr. Bhavisha Ghugare.
