About 25 percent of cancer patients at Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre abandon treatment because of financial hardship despite largely free care, doctors have said.
They pointed to the high cost of newer therapies and inconsistent financial assistance as key reasons.
Doctors said the public hospital provides surgery and radiotherapy free, but the high cost of newer immunotherapies and targeted therapies leaves some patients unable to continue treatment.
Speaking on the closing day of the two-day Breastcon 2026 conference, oncology department head Dr Ghulam Haider called for permanent government assistance to help patients complete treatment.
He said reliance on charitable donations alone is not enough.
Dr Haider said philanthropists, charities, and Zakat funds support cancer care at JPMC, but this help is not always available. Gaps in medicine supplies and funding can interrupt treatment and harm outcomes.
He estimated the cost of complete cancer care, including surgery, radiotherapy, medicines and injections, at Rs3 million to Rs4 million.
He said some patients return home after exhausting their resources and come back months later with larger tumors, reducing their chances of successful treatment.
Assistant Professor of Medical Oncology Dr Saima Zahoor said more than 60 percent of breast cancer patients face delays in diagnosis or treatment because of social pressure, fear, misconceptions and cost.
She said some women avoid seeking medical advice despite finding a lump due to embarrassment, while others fear that biopsy will spread cancer or turn to alternative treatments and lose months before reaching a hospital.
Women who start private treatment sometimes stop after being unable to afford medicines and chemotherapy, she added.
Patients with HER2-positive breast cancer may need expensive targeted medicines, while applications to Baitul Mal or charities can further delay care.
Dr Zahoor urged women to consult a qualified doctor about unusual breast changes, saying early diagnosis and timely treatment improve recovery.
General surgeon Dr Syeda Zareen Raza said specialists decide whether chemotherapy or surgery should come first based on the cancer’s stage and type. She said removing the entire breast is not necessary for every patient, and suitable patients can undergo breast conservation or oncoplastic surgery.
Dr Sana Zeeshan of Aga Khan University Hospital called for a national breast cancer registry combining records from public, private and charitable hospitals to help identify gaps and guide research.
Dr Najeeb Naimatullah of Shaukat Khanum Hospital said treatment costs can force families to borrow money or sell their homes. He urged organized screening and access to quality local and generic medicines.
Sindh Higher Education Commission Chairman Dr Tariq Rafi, who was chief guest, called for stronger screening, institutional cooperation and medical research. He said the commission could support researchers through available funding.
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