Cancer Treatment In Government Hospitals, How Good Is It?

[Crossy]

Confided by my wife. A Thai friend's wife has a 'lump' (breast).

He and his lady are terrified of going to the hospital to have it investigated not just because it could be the Big-C but also because he believes that it will only be treated if he pays vast sums to the hospital. He's not a poor farmer (restaurant owner) but he's not rolling in cash either.

Anyone know the actual situation for Thai's (she's an older lady who gets the retirement pension) getting decent diagnosis/treatment for cancer?

[Morden]

Government hospitals are cheaper than private but, from my own observations of two of them, they are dirty and crowded.

She might do best to make an enquiry about costs and then decide. Whatever the cost, she should have diagnostic treatment.

[Robby nz]

Go to an army hospital.

Specialists in every cancer and great facilities particularly in BKK where it is first class, have only been in it and one provincial one but it looked good also.

Only problem you waits your turn like every public hospital.

[Litlos]

Please try and get her to at least go for diagnosis, as with most cancers early diagnosis is the difference between a localised site, and where the cancer has spread and become active in multiple sites. Once a diagnosis is confirmed then the treatment options become clearer whether it is surgery (probable), chemotherapy, radio therapy or go and pray at the wat. Once the treatment options are defined then search for cheaper options re different medical facilities.

Unfortunately I have a lot of experience in this area with a wife who was diagnosed with HNPPC. The average time from diagnosis to death with this is 18 months. She managed a month shy of 7 years by being aware as cancer took her father at 31. Yes the cancer took her in the end, but in the interim she was at both our daughters weddings and had time with a grandson.

Cheers

[Sheryl]

First of all, the majority of breast lumps are benign so they should not leap to the assumption that it is cancer.

Cancer treatment in Thai government hospitals is fine, but of course it is at the higher levels, not primary level. It is also free of charge except when special new drugs not on the regular drug list are required (not usually the case with brerast cancer). So no reason to fear huge charges,

She should go to the hospital where she is registered and depending on what level facility that is, she may have to be referred from there to a higher level. She'll need a mammogram + ultrasound first and then based on findings, maybe a biopsy. Only after that, and IF it shows malignancy, would she need to be referred to a cancer center. Those are usually regional hospitals, i.e. provincial hospitals that provide specialty care for a network of other provinces. For example, they have this at the prov hosps in Chonburi and I think Khon Kaen. And in Bangkok, then C the Queen Sirikit Center fro Breast Cancer at Chula.

Military Hosps are indeed good but in order to be cvered under whiochever health scheme she is under she needs to go first to the hospital where she is registered.

I don't think she can go directly to the Queen Sirikit Breast Hosp under either SS or the 30 baht scheme, I think she has to be referred, but no harm in calling them to ask:

The Queen Sirikit Centre for Breast Cancer

1873 King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital, Rama IV Road, Patumwan, Bangkok 10330

Tel: 02 256 4991-2 Fax: 02 251 5466

Email:info@queensirikitcentre

forbreastcancer.com

She should not delay. If it is cancer, the earlier it is diagnosed and treated the less extensive the required treatment and the better the prognosis.

[puuchai299]

I received a lot of cancer treatment at Chulalongkorn hospital Sala daaeng,and although the waiting times can be long as there are many people being treated,I can honestly say the doctors and staff at the cancer unit where really good and for sure saved my life and the pricing was very reasonable,I'm a farang,but I spoke with many other thai patients whilst there and they could receive treatment at a lower price than myself.

Best if your wife can encourage them to go and get it checked out soon...

[lopburi3]

As said treatment should be good and inexpensive but the key is time - get the check now as Government hospitals have a priority order and unless critical status there are waits at each stage that can be devastating in the case of some cancer treatment so the earlier found and treatment started the better. But as said it often is not cancer and even if it is the prognosis is often not as dire as most Thai believe. But many Thai will see cancer word as immediate death so often they are afraid to know - so that has to be overcome.

[Sheryl]

As said treatment should be good and inexpensive but the key is time - get the check now as Government hospitals have a priority order and unless critical status there are waits at each stage that can be devastating in the case of some cancer treatment so the earlier found and treatment started the better. But as said it often is not cancer and even if it is the prognosis is often not as dire as most Thai believe. But many Thai will see cancer word as immediate death so often they are afraid to know - so that has to be overcome.

Yes, and unfortunately a self-fulfilling prophecy since by delaying they often miss the opportunity for a cure

[bkkmick]

Another hospital to consider (if you're in Bangkok) is Siraraj. The doctors we seen were top notch with great English. As mentioned before, waiting times can be long. Get the test done today as the longer you wait the worse things might get. Stage #3 (and there's only 4 stages) but with an operation and treatment (didn't cost an arm and a leg) the futures bright.

PM me if you'd like any additional information.

[ThaidDown]

Many years ago wife had breast lump investigate at Chonburi Cancer Hospital. (Biopsy done, turned out to be benign, luckily). Still goes back for check ups.

Government hospital and can get crowded, but specialise in cancer diagnosis and surgery. Recommended .

Just for info.. location ..turn off Sukhumvit down side of Chonburi Makro and keep going.

(Now, under the free health scheme may need referral letter from local govt clinic, not sure)

[CWMcMurray]

I would pay the money for the initial diagnosis at a good private hospital and then if cancer , treatment at gov hospital

As mentioned once you get to the specialist or higher level hospital, should be fine, but most of the delays and problems will be faced at initial stage when trying to get the necessary test to confirm diagnosis

Sent from my iPhone using ThaiVisa app

[Crossy]

I thought I'd update this.

The lady in question finally went to the local 'breast specialist' in one of the Rangsit hospitals (Wifey did tell me the name but it was over the phone so can't be certain).

Lump had expanded significantly, luckily turned out to be benign (a cyst). Removal of it plus a couple of smaller ones in the other breast cost 80,000 for surgery and an overnight hospital stay.

Of course, now she says she should have gone much earlier, silly girl.

[Sheryl]

Glad it turned out well. Most breast lumps are, in fact, benign. A cyst as opposed to a solid mass is a determination made quite easily in most cases.

The cost and the fact that multiple cysts were removed sounds odd to me, to be frank. Most breast cysts do not require treatment and those that do,can usually be done by needle aspiration as an outpatient. It is rare for actual surgery to be required and this together with the fact that she evidently went to a smallish private hospital makes me wonder a bit re quality of care/possible exploitation. But of course I don't have all the details.

[Crossy]

It's quite possible that the terminology lost meaning in translation, one of the lumps removed was apparently rather large (ducks egg was mentioned) and had been growing quite rapidly (which is what finally persuaded her to go to the doc).

I'll try to get proper details of the hospital and doc involved once I'm back in Thailand, over the phone just doesn't cut it from inedible India.

[dogpoo]

I thought I'd update this.

The lady in question finally went to the local 'breast specialist' in one of the Rangsit hospitals (Wifey did tell me the name but it was over the phone so can't be certain).

Lump had expanded significantly, luckily turned out to be benign (a cyst). Removal of it plus a couple of smaller ones in the other breast cost 80,000 for surgery and an overnight hospital stay.

Of course, now she says she should have gone much earlier, silly girl.

I am not sure if this is the same thing but my gf had 4 lumps in her breast, we went to a private hospital here in Phuket, she had the lumps removed at a cost of 13000฿ (confirmed as cysts,my gf was in and out of the hospital within a couple of hours! This was a couple of years ago and everything is fine!