The UK situation
“I was diagnosed in spring 2023. By autumn 2024, I had been through hormone therapy, enzalutamide, and four cycles of docetaxel. The chemo gave me peripheral neuropathy in my hands and feet so badly I couldn't hold a teacup. We stopped.”
“My oncologist mentioned Lu-177 PSMA therapy. It had just been approved on the NHS for patients like me. He referred me. Then we waited.”
“The waitlist at my regional centre was 14 months. My oncologist apologised. He said many patients were in the same position - NHS demand had exceeded NHS capacity.”
“Going private at home was beyond what I could afford. Even with a remortgage, it was a stretch.”
Discovering India
“My nephew lives in Bangalore. He mentioned that Indian hospitals were doing Lu-177 PSMA therapy. I was sceptical - I had vague worries about quality, hygiene, things British people imagine about Indian hospitals. But he sent me information.”
“I read everything I could. The drug is the same. The protocols are the same. Indian centres have been doing nuclear medicine for decades.”
“I emailed three centres in India with my reports. All three responded within 48 hours with detailed treatment plans. Pricing was transparent and quoted up front - around $6,000–$8,000 USD per session for the treatment, with flights and accommodation on me. I chose a centre with a particularly responsive international patient coordinator.”
Getting there
“The medical visa took 11 days. The Indian high commission was professional and efficient. I booked a serviced apartment 10 minutes from the hospital. My wife came with me; she got a Medical Attendant visa.”
“We flew to India in August 2024. The hospital sent a car to the airport. Within 48 hours, I had been examined, had repeat blood tests, and was scheduled for cycle 1 in a week.”
The treatment experience
“The Indian centre was modern, clean, well-organised. The nuclear medicine team had treated hundreds of Lu-177 PSMA therapy patients. My consultant's English was excellent. The nurses were experienced and kind.”
“Cycle days went exactly as I'd read on this website - IV at 8 AM, infusion at 10 AM, monitoring, home by 2 PM. My wife and I took taxis between the apartment and the hospital. We made friends with other patients in the international lounge.”
“Between cycles, we explored the city, went to Agra, saw the Taj Mahal. I felt well enough to do tourist things by day 4 of each cycle. The dry mouth was the biggest nuisance - sugar-free sweets became my friend.”
The financial reality
“Let me break it down honestly:”
- Treatment (6 sessions at $6–8K each + scans + monitoring): approximately $42,000 USD
- Round-trip flights for two (economy, advance booking): ~$2,300 USD
- Serviced apartment, 7 months: ~$8,000 USD
- Local transport, food, miscellaneous: ~$4,500 USD
- Two return trips to London (mid-treatment break): ~$2,300 USD
- Total: approximately $59,000 USD
“The 14-month wait was the real cost - months during which my cancer would have kept growing.”
The outcome
“My PSA was 180 when I started. By cycle 3, it was 60. By cycle 6, it was 22. Six months later, it's 15. The bone pain in my hip is gone. The neuropathy from chemo is slowly improving.”
“I'm back in London, seeing my NHS oncologist for follow-up. They received all my records from India. The transition was smooth.”
Reflections
“The quality of care in India exceeded my expectations. The nuclear medicine consultant was more available, more communicative, and more thoughtful than my NHS consultant - who is excellent but overworked.”
“The administration was easier. No waitlists. No bureaucratic delays. They wanted me to succeed.”
“India is not what older British people imagine. India has world-class hospitals, professional services, beautiful neighbourhoods. The food was wonderful. The people were kind.”
“I would recommend this path to anyone facing a long waitlist at home. Do your research, choose a verified centre, plan for a long stay, and bring a companion. You probably won't sacrifice anything in quality of care.”