By Nira Nanavati
The health authorities of South Africa are concerned with reports of a high prevalence of cancer in South Africa. 2020 recorded 110,000 new cancer cases and 56,000 cancer-related deaths.
The quality of life of cancer patients in South Africa depends on these factors –
- Monetary Resources
- Access to healthcare
- Healthcare systems
- Medical Insurance
Current Scenario in South Africa
According to WHO, more than 95% of the African population travel to European or Asian countries for quality treatments. As per BBC news reports published in November 2019, many cancer patients travel to India yearly for cancer treatments. medical tourism from Africa to India is around $1 billion annually
Cancer Treatment in countries like India is preferred due to high-quality care and affordable treatment cost, which is the primary reason for cancer patients from South Africa visit India. India is recognized for its superior quality of cancer care and Expert Cancer Doctors. The cancer hospitals in India provide comprehensive cancer treatment and go to lengths to assist their international patients with all possible services and requirements.
Comparative Analysis of Cost of Cancer Treatment in South Africa
The cancer treatment cost in South Africa ranges from $630 – $63,100, while as per the American Institute of Cancer Research, the annual cost of cancer treatment is approx. $895 billion across the globe. The cost of medicines and drugs increases with the technological advancements in cancer treatments.
We present a listing of reasons why cancer treatment costs are increasing rapidly.
● Innovative surgical procedures
● Advancing technologies
● Innovative cancer treatments
Here is a cost comparison table for cancer treatment in South Africa and other countries across the globe. Low-cost treatment and the use of the latest procedures to treat and resolve cancer are the main reasons that cancer patients around the world visit India from different regions:
| Country | Cost of Cancer Treatment |
| South Africa | $630 – $63,100 |
| India | $1,919 – $23,039 |
| USA | $2700-$6000per visit |
| Germany | $839 – $32311 |
For patients unable to visit India for cancer treatments for various reasons, we have furnished a list of the best hospitals for cancer in South Africa.
Best Cancer Hospitals in South Africa
South Africa has many well-established hospitals offering their patients the best available cancer treatment, which are:
1. Life Kingsbury Hospital
Life Kingsbury Hospital, Cape Town, South Africa, operates with a capacity of 226 beds, 11 OT rooms, ICU, separate neonatal ICUs, and general wards. Recently, they have installed a renal unit for dialysis and the da Vinci X robotic surgical system, the first in Africa to serve their patients. The hospital is capable of attending to emergencies and accidents 24/7. International patients can seek assistance with airport transfer and meal and accommodation preferences.
The Life Kingsbury Hospital belongs to the Life Healthcare Group, which has many hospitals across South Africa. Life Oncology is a dedicated segment of Life Healthcare that offers state-of-the-art treatment for breast, colorectal, lung, sarcoma, and many other types of cancers.
2. Lenmed Ahmed Kathrada Private Hospital
Ahmed Kathrada is another leading hospital in South Africa, offering quality medical treatment and healthcare services for the past 37 years. It is a multidisciplinary hospital focusing on cancer treatment, general medicine, minimally invasive surgery, cardiac care and emergency services.
3. Inkosi Albert Luthuli Central Hospital
The Inkosi Albert Luthuli Central Hospital, Durban, 4091, South Africa is yet another well-maintained healthcare provider. The KwaZulu-Natal Department of Health owns this 846 bedded hospital and provides cancer treatment and multidisciplinary treatment and services.
Which Cancers Are Treatable In South Africa?
The types of cancer treated in South Africa include
● Breast Cancer
● Lung Cancer
● Pancreatic Cancer
● Gastrointestinal Cancers
● Endocrine and Neuroendocrine Cancers
● Urological Cancers
● Hepatobiliary cancers
● Colorectal Cancers
Cancer Treatments available in South Africa
Cancer Treatment in South Africa includes surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy, and these recently introduced cancer treatments which are
● Brachytherapy
Brachytherapy or internal radiation is a procedure in which radioactive material is placed within the body to treat cancer.
● Stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS)
It is nonsurgical precisely-targeted radiation therapy for treating tumors or other issues in the brain, liver, spine, lungs, neck, and other body parts.
● Targeted therapy
This therapy targets the proteins that control the cancer cells’ growth, division and spread and thereby control the spread of cancer.
As no cancer is alike similarly, no cancer treatment is the same. Treatment of cancer requires a comprehensive approach which depends upon the patient’s health, type of cancer and the stage of cancer. A multidisciplinary team comprising an oncologist, an onco-surgeon, a radiologist, and allied medical staff decide the treatment protocol.
Technologically Advanced Cancer Treatment available in South Africa
South Africa offers the following advanced cancer treatment options.
1. PET CT
PET scan refers to a positron emission tomography (PET) scan, an imaging test to view the metabolic functioning of tissues and organs. It is also helpful in identifying cancer, its spread, the effectiveness of the cancer treatment and the scope of its recurrence.
2. Stem Cell Therapy
Stem cell therapy help to restore blood-form stem cells in cancer patients as their blood cells get destroyed due to radiation therapy and chemotherapy during their cancer treatment. In India, the cost of Stem cell therapy is also very affordable. With positive results from stem cell therapy, it has emerged as a reliable treatment option.
3. 32 Slice CT Scanner
A 32 Slice CT scanner delivers superior image quality and is cost-efficient in performance. This scanner offers clearer images and helps the oncologist to reduce the radiation dosage. Moreover, it completes the CT scan in less time and hence saves time and resources.
4. Mammography
Proper breast imaging is the crucial step in diagnosing and treating breast cancer. Mammography is a highly special screening test done using low-dose x-rays for early cancer detection.
5. Linear Accelerator
A linear accelerator is used in cancer treatment for delivering radiation. A well-programmed linear accelerator can deliver radiation to destroy cancer cells at a particular location while minimizing radiation exposure to the surrounding areas. A linear accelerator is useful in both conventional external beam radiation therapies.
Conclusion
Within the African continent, South Africa has emerged as one of the leading providers of cancer treatment and care. On similar lines, India leads the race in offering affordable cancer treatment among developing nations, considering the presence of innovative treatment procedures and technologies in treating cancer.
Nira Nanavati is a Digital PR specialist and Content Developer for ClinicSpots, India’s most emerging medical tourism company. She has delivered well-researched and impeccably written articles on medical treatment and support in India for everyone. In this article, Nira makes a cost comparison for cancer treatments across the various hospitals in South Africa with reference to medical facilities in India. She tells that hospitals in South Africa are well-equipped with the latest diagnostic services and offer comprehensive medical treatment and care. In addition, some of these hospitals are located in many South African cities and can provide medical treatment across the country.
ClinicSpots focus on encouraging medical tourists to visit India for affordable yet superior medical treatment. ClinicSpots liaisons with visiting tourists arriving in India for medical treatment, from locating the right doctor and treatment to their stay in the country.
