Updated: 1 day ago
Medically Reviewed by Dr. Wang, Medical Editor, ChinaCureLink
Introduction
In March 2026, China approved trastuzumab rezetecan, a Chinese-developed antibody-drug conjugate, for HER2-positive breast cancer. In its phase III trial, women who received it went a median of 30.6 months before their cancer progressed, against 8.3 months on the comparison treatment. A month earlier, another Chinese-developed drug, sacituzumab tirumotecan, was approved for the most common subtype of advanced breast cancer.
Chinese breast cancer teams now lead large trials, publish in leading journals and see some of the highest patient volumes in the world. Patients from Southeast Asia, Australia and beyond have begun travelling to Chinese breast oncology departments for surgery and drug treatment.
Knowing what China offers is only half the question. The other half is practical: how an international patient actually gets breast cancer treatment in China, from the first records review to continuing treatment at home. This guide sets out that route in seven steps. For the drugs and evidence themselves, see ChinaCureLink's guide to breast cancer treatment in China.
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Table of Contents
Why International Patients Choose China for Breast Cancer Treatment
New drugs approved in China first. Several Chinese-developed breast cancer drugs reached patients in China before other markets:
Trastuzumab rezetecan for HER2-positive advanced breast cancer after earlier anti-HER2 therapy, approved March 2026. In the HORIZON-Breast01 trial of 287 women, 81.7% responded, compared with 55.9% on pyrotinib plus capecitabine.
Sacituzumab tirumotecan for triple-negative breast cancer (approved 2024) and, since early 2026, for HR-positive, HER2-negative disease after endocrine therapy and one chemotherapy line. Median progression-free survival was 8.3 months versus 4.1 months with chemotherapy.
Bireociclib, a Chinese CDK4/6 inhibitor approved in 2025 for HR-positive, HER2-negative advanced disease. With fulvestrant, median progression-free survival was 14.69 months versus 7.33 months.
Trial leadership. Chinese teams in Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou led the phase III trials behind these drugs, and some Chinese breast oncology protocols now appear in international guidelines.
Speed. Chinese reporting in 2026 put the average time from first visit to cancer surgery at one to two weeks, much shorter than typical waits in many health systems.
Step 1: Confirm Receptor Status and Biomarkers
Breast cancer treatment depends on the tumour's receptor profile far more than on the city or hospital.
For a lung cancer diagnosis, use the separate guide to lung cancer treatment options by biomarker.
Some of these drugs are now also available elsewhere, so home availability should be checked first. HER2 results also matter more than before: a tumour reported as "HER2-negative" may be HER2-low (IHC 1+ or 2+), which can open newer options. If the original biopsy is old, or the cancer has spread or progressed, a new biopsy and repeat receptor testing are often the first step.
Step 2: Get a Remote Specialist Review Before Travel
Under China's internet-hospital rules, a first diagnosis cannot be made online. A Chinese breast cancer specialist can still review translated records and imaging and give an opinion on options before any travel.
The records a breast cancer specialist needs:
Pathology and immunohistochemistry reports (ER, PR, HER2, Ki-67), plus HER2 FISH if done
Mammogram, breast ultrasound and breast MRI, with recent CT, PET-CT or bone scan if the cancer has spread
Operation notes and the surgical pathology report, if surgery has already happened
Genetic test results (BRCA1/2, PIK3CA, ESR1) where available
A dated list of every treatment and how the tumour responded
All records should be translated by a medical translator before review. Setting up the appointment itself is covered in how to book an oncology appointment in China.
Step 3: Choose the Right Hospital and Team
Breast cancer care in large Chinese hospitals sits with several teams:
Breast surgery for lumpectomy, mastectomy and reconstruction
Medical oncology for chemotherapy, targeted drugs, ADCs and endocrine therapy
Radiation oncology for radiotherapy after surgery or for metastases
Interventional oncology for ablation when surgery is not suitable
International services are expanding. In March 2026 Guangdong named 25 pilot hospitals for international medical services, including Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital, and Shanghai's public hospitals recorded about 73,200 foreign patient visits in 2025. Leading centres are profiled in best breast cancer hospitals in China, top cancer hospitals in Shanghai and cancer hospitals in Guangzhou. ChinaCureLink hospital matching compares up to three suitable hospitals for a specific case.
Step 4: Plan Entry, Documents and Length of Stay
Entry rules depend on nationality. Citizens of Australia and New Zealand can enter China without a visa for up to 30 days under a policy extended to 31 December 2026. Citizens of Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand and Brunei have mutual 30-day visa exemption. Citizens of Indonesia, Vietnam and the Philippines are not on the 30-day list and usually need a visa.
China has no dedicated medical visa. Thirty days usually covers a work-up and surgery, or the start of a drug, but not a full course of radiotherapy plus chemotherapy. The China medical visa guide explains the options, and wider logistics are covered in how to travel to China for medical treatment.
The treating team confirms the expected stay in writing after the remote review, and the visa plan should be built on that.
Step 5: Treatment and Re-Testing in China
On arrival, the hospital examines the patient and usually repeats some tests, such as breast ultrasound, blood work or a biopsy. A multidisciplinary team then confirms the plan. If surgery is done, the surgical pathology can change the next step, for example by confirming HER2 status or lymph node involvement, so the plan is reviewed again after the operation.
Newer drugs need close monitoring. ADCs can cause low blood counts and, less often, lung inflammation, so regular blood tests and scans are part of the plan in China and at home.
Step 6: Paying for Treatment as an International Patient
International patients pay as self-pay patients. China's national insurance does not cover foreign visitors, and international departments set their own prices, typically several times the standard national insurance rate. Most hospitals ask for payment or a deposit before treatment.
Fewer than 30% of international insurers can settle bills directly in China, so patients usually pay first and claim later. Itemised English invoices and medical reports should be requested before leaving. See medical insurance in China for coverage questions.
Step 7: Continuing Treatment After Returning Home
Much breast cancer treatment continues for months or years: endocrine therapy, CDK4/6 inhibitors, anti-HER2 drugs.
Drug supply. Each country sets its own import rules. Australia, for example, lets travellers bring up to a three-month supply with a prescription or doctor's letter; more needs a Special Access Scheme application by an Australian doctor.
Monitoring. A local oncologist should track blood counts, scans and side effects.
Records. An English discharge summary, surgical pathology report and treatment plan should go to the home doctor.
Follow-up with China. Online follow-up visits are allowed for patients already seen in person.
The same seven steps apply to other cancers; see the sister guide on how to get lung cancer treatment in China.
Case Studies: Two Breast Cancer Patients Treated in China
A Malaysian Patient Who Switched to a Breast Oncology Team in Guangzhou
Mei Lin (alias), a Malaysian woman of Chinese descent, had a breast condition that needed surgery. Her family first planned treatment at a local hospital, then chose the Breast Oncology department at Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital in Guangzhou, whose reputation had spread through Malaysian Chinese communities. The team completed a full evaluation and built an individual plan covering tests, surgery and rehabilitation.
Because the family could not use the hospital's online registration and results systems, staff stepped in to help at each stage, and the family later suggested improvements for linking with overseas insurance. Mei Lin recovered well and continued her rehabilitation in Malaysia under the team's instructions.
A 55-Year-Old Patient With Spread to the Lymph Nodes
Wen (alias), 55, had invasive ductal carcinoma that had spread to lymph nodes in both armpits after surgery was delayed. At a licensed oncology hospital in Guangzhou, China, she received argon-helium cryoablation, which freezes tumour tissue through a fine probe. Follow-up showed the treated tumour tissue had largely died and her condition was under control. Her story is in this breast cancer cryoablation case.
How International Patients Can Get Breast Cancer Treatment in China
1. Through ChinaCureLink, the dedicated international patient pathway. ChinaCureLink represents the patient, not any hospital, and takes no hospital commission. There is no fee to apply to hospitals; on-site support carries a moderate fee quoted per case. After a free advisory call, ChinaCureLink identifies and compares up to three suitable hospitals or breast cancer specialists. The patient selects one, and ChinaCureLink arranges a video second opinion with that specialist. If the patient proceeds, ChinaCureLink coordinates the appointment, records and translation, hospital communication, treatment planning, travel and in-China support.
2. Through a hospital's international department. Many leading hospitals run international departments with English-speaking staff. They usually expect the patient to attend in person, and prices are set separately from standard rates.
3. Through a clinical trial. Some new breast cancer drugs are available only in trials, with strict eligibility. See how to join a cancer clinical trial in China.
4. Through a home oncologist's network. Some oncologists can request an informal opinion from Chinese colleagues, though this rarely includes booking or travel support.
What to Expect When Booking a Chinese Hospital Directly
Booking directly is possible, but international breast cancer patients often run into these limits:
Registration built for residents. Many hospitals book outpatients only through an app or WeChat, require a Chinese mobile number and accept only WeChat Pay or Alipay.
Records in Chinese. Pathology, imaging reports and discharge summaries are usually issued in Chinese.
Short outpatient slots. A complex breast cancer history is hard to cover in a brief visit through an interpreter.
Higher international prices. International departments price separately, often several times the standard rate, and payment is usually upfront.
No answer before travel. Without a records review, a patient may arrive to find receptor tests must be repeated or the stay will outlast the visa-free period.
No plan for home. Drug supply and monitoring after return are left to the patient.
ChinaCureLink replies to new case enquiries within 10 minutes. A preliminary case review checks the patient's pathology, receptor status and imaging against what Chinese breast cancer teams can offer, then outlines up to three suitable hospitals or specialists, before any travel is booked.
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Get a Second Opinion
For suitable cases, ChinaCureLink can then coordinate an online consultation with the specialist to discuss the technical treatment details directly. The purpose is to help the patient understand which treatment option and which specialist center may be most appropriate before making an international treatment decision.
What Patients Say About ChinaCureLink & Medebound HEALTH
China CureLink operates under Medebound HEALTH — an internationally recognized healthcare navigation company incorporated in New York, with operations across North America and Asia-Pacific.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can foreigners get breast cancer treatment in China?
Yes. Chinese hospitals treat international patients, and many leading centres have international departments. Most patients start with a remote review of their records, then travel once a hospital confirms a suitable plan.
How long do I need to stay in China for breast cancer treatment?
It depends on the treatment. Surgery usually means a hospital stay of several days plus time for pathology, radiotherapy usually takes three to five weeks, and IV chemotherapy runs for months unless it continues at home. The treating team confirms the timeline after reviewing records.
What records do I need for breast cancer treatment in China?
Pathology and receptor reports (ER, PR, HER2, Ki-67), mammogram, ultrasound and MRI images, any CT or PET-CT, surgical reports, genetic test results and a dated treatment history, translated before review.
Can I take breast cancer medicine from China back home?
Usually, within limits set by the home country. Australia, for example, allows travellers to carry up to a three-month supply with a prescription or doctor's letter. A local oncologist should monitor treatment after return.
About ChinaCureLink
ChinaCureLink helps international patients access advanced treatment at China's leading hospitals without the delays, language barriers and administrative confusion that usually come with seeking care abroad. From the first case review through treatment and follow-up, every step is guided, translated and coordinated by a team experienced in cross-border patient care.
ChinaCureLink is affiliated with Medebound HEALTH, founded by US physicians, with more than 10 years of experience and more than 3,000 patients served worldwide. Medebound HEALTH has been recognised by Forbes and is a trusted cross-border patient concierge company across North America and the Asia-Pacific.
References
Yao H, et al. HORIZON-Breast01: trastuzumab rezetecan vs pyrotinib plus capecitabine. Reported in The ASCO Post, 7 August 2026. https://ascopost.com/news/august-2026/trastuzumab-rezetecan-improves-progression-free-survival-in-her2-positive-metastatic-breast-cancer/
FLCube. Trastuzumab rezetecan NMPA approval for HER2-positive breast cancer, March 2026. https://flcube.com/?p=60554
Kelun-Biotech. Announcement on NMPA approval of sacituzumab tirumotecan for HR+/HER2- breast cancer, 6 February 2026. https://www1.hkexnews.hk/listedco/listconews/sehk/2026/0206/2026020600380.pdf
OncLive. Bireociclib earns NMPA approval in China for 2 indications in HR+/HER2- breast cancer, May 2025. https://www.onclive.com/view/bireociclib-earns-nmpa-approval-in-china-for-2-indications-in-hr-her2-breast-cancer
Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital. Breast Oncology department earns praise from overseas Chinese patient, 20 March 2026. https://www.gdghospital.org.cn/ComprehensiveNews/info_itemid_67120.html
Ling X, Ding N. Foreign patients come to China for cancer treatment. Caijing via Phoenix News, 2 September 2026. https://news.ifeng.com/c/8w5faOAEcno
Consulate General of China in Adelaide. Notice on the Extension of the Unilateral Visa-Free Policy, 4 November 2025. https://adelaide.china-consulate.gov.cn/eng/gg_1_1/202511/t20251104_11746678.htm
Therapeutic Goods Administration. Travelling with medicines and medical devices. https://tga.gov.au/products/travelling-medicines-and-medical-devices
Ropes & Gray. China's Health Authorities Issue New Rules on Telemedicine, 2018. https://www.ropesgray.com/en/newsroom/alerts/2018/09/Chinas-Health-Authorities-Issue-New-Rules-on-Telemedicine
Disclaimer
This article is for informational purposes only and is not medical or financial advice. Treatment eligibility, protocols, entry rules and costs vary by individual case and change over time. Confirm specifics with a coordinator, the treating physician and the relevant immigration authority before making any decisions.
