Cancer is no longer something that happens to “other people.” It’s happening around us—friends, relatives, neighbours, and sometimes even within our own homes. Just 3 days ago, another relative died due to cancer; a few months ago, and about a year ago as well. As a financial consultant, I’ve seen the devastating impact cancer has—not just on health, but on emotions, relationships, and finances. And what’s even more worrying is how unprepared most people are. We’re living in a time when cancer is rising rapidly across India, including in smaller states like Goa, where medical infrastructure is still catching up with the increasing demand.
According to data from the Indian Council of Medical Research, over 1.4 million new cancer cases were reported in 2023 alone. In Goa, government hospitals are struggling to manage the rising load of cancer patients. Long waiting periods, overloaded oncology departments, and lack of access to advanced treatments make early intervention difficult. While private hospitals offer faster and often better treatment, the costs can be overwhelming. That’s where the crisis deepens—not just as a medical emergency, but as a financial one.
Cancer is unpredictable. It doesn’t matter if you eat healthily, avoid alcohol or tobacco, or come from a “clean” lifestyle. According to Dr Tarang Krishna, a renowned cancer specialist, cancer today can be triggered by daily exposure to carcinogens—chemicals found in shampoos, toothpaste, plastic bottles, non-stick cookware, pesticides on vegetables, and preservatives in packaged foods. It surrounds us silently, and most of us don’t even know it.
So what can we do? The first step is awareness. The second—preventive action. And one of the most powerful tools we have is annual health check-ups, especially cancer-specific tests.
Dr Krishna strongly recommends that every adult, regardless of age or gender, must undergo basic tests once a year. These include CBC (Complete Blood Count), LFT (Liver Function Test), KFT (Kidney Function Test), Thyroid Profile, and Lipid Profile. These are simple, affordable, and can reveal early warning signs. But beyond the basics, he suggests cancer-specific tests based on age and gender:
• For women above 25: CA 15.3 (breast cancer) and CA 72.4 (stomach cancer)
• For women above 40: CA 125 (ovarian), CA 15.3 (breast), and CEA (general cancer marker)
• For men above 40: CA 72.4 (stomach), CA 19.9 (pancreatic), PSA (prostate), and CEA
(All the tests are to be recommended by the doctor. Patients must consult their doctor.)
Sadly, many people skip these tests due to cost or time, but the truth is—they cost less than a weekend outing or a shopping trip, and they could save your life.
What’s more alarming is the rising cost of modern cancer treatment. Robotic surgeries, precision radiation therapy, immunotherapy, targeted chemotherapy—all sound promising and advanced, and they are. But they come with a heavy price tag. A single PET-CT scan can cost Rs 20,000–Rs 35,000. One cycle of chemotherapy or immunotherapy could go up to Rs 1–2 lakh. Robotic surgery, increasingly used for prostate, lung, and cervical cancers, offers better recovery and accuracy, but costs can range from Rs 3–6 lakh or more. Most middle-class families simply aren’t prepared for this financial shock.
This is why having the right health and term insurance is not a luxury—it’s a necessity. Many people only realise the inadequacy of their insurance when it’s too late. A Rs 2 lakh cover is meaningless today when treatment costs can exceed Rs 10–15 lakh within months. Your health insurance should include critical illness coverage, especially for cancer, and your term insurance must cover your family’s financial needs if you are no longer around.
In a state like Goa, where public healthcare is limited and private options are expensive, insurance gives you freedom of choice and peace of mind. It allows you to act fast, get second opinions, and access quality treatment without delay. And more importantly, it lets you focus on healing—not on arranging funds or borrowing under stress.
Let this not be just another article you read and forget. Make it your reminder. Book your health check-up. Review your insurance. Talk to a financial advisor. Encourage your family members and friends to do the same. Cancer may be on the rise, but with awareness, prevention, and protection, we can reduce its impact.
Remember, cancer is not always fatal—but ignorance, delay, and lack of preparation can be. Let’s be informed, alert, and financially ready—because your health may be unpredictable, but your response doesn’t have to be.
(The writer is the founder of ‘Investment Options’, an insurance and investment consultancy based in Goa since 2013, with pan-India clientele)
