Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is one of the countries. More than half of the patients present in an advanced stage. The number of institutes providing cancer care is highly inadequate in developing countries. A cross-sectional study on head and neck cancers (HNC) showed that various beliefs (‘cancer is a curse’), non-availability of transport, believing mouth ulcer to be self-limiting and prolonged treatment resulting in family stress are important factors in treatment delay.
Other reasons included poor socioeconomic status of the patient, cost of care and high rate of illiteracy. The current pricing system of chemotherapy drugs is unsustainable and not affordable for many patients on palliative care. There is enormous financial pressure on society, especially in developing countries due to the skyrocketing costs. In these patients, already in an advanced stage of…
