India faces a stark paradox: while women bear the brunt of its breast and gynecological cancer burden, access to patient‑centric infrastructure focused on their specific needs remains sparse. Addressing this imbalance is not just a matter of equity—it is a strategic imperative.

1. The Scale of the Burden

Breast cancer is now the most common cancer among women in India, comprising over 30% of all female cancers in major urban registries such as Delhi, Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Kolkata and Trivandrum. The ICMR–PBCR data estimates more than 100,000 new breast cancer diagnoses annually, and in rural regions too, incidence continues to rise.

Despite this, approximately 60% of breast cancer cases are detected at Stage III or IV, significantly reducing chances of cure and escalating treatment complexity and cost. In rural Punjab, a recent district survey showed 65% of patients presented with late-stage disease, with only 70% adherence to systemic therapies owing to financial and accessibility barriers

2. The Gender Gap in Oncology Services and Leadership

Cancer care in India is heavily urban‑centric; nearly 95% of cancer treatment facilities are located in cities, while about 70% of the population lives in rural areas, creating a massive accessibility divide. Moreover, only about 10% of the population has coverage under corporate or private healthcare schemes, leaving many women to delay or default on treatment.

The gender gap extends to oncology itself—female oncology professionals are under‑represented in leadership, clinical teams, and academic authorship. A national survey revealed fewer women-led oncology research teams and published papers; women continue to face marginalisation in their clinical careers PMC. While the number of female radiation oncologists is rising sharply—on pace to reach parity with male peers by around 2027—these leaders remain clustered in urban centres

3. Cultural Barriers & Stigma

Indians often face entrenched myths and stigma about breast and cervical cancer. Many believe cancer is contagious or a karmic punishment, and those diagnosed may experience social isolation regarding food, living arrangements, or even familial inclusion en.wikipedia.org. This stigma delays help-seeking, reduces disclosure, and isolates women from essential sources of support and care.

4. Why Women‑Centric Cancer Centers Matter

A. Clinically Tailored Care

Centers that specialize in women’s cancers—such as breast, ovarian, cervical—can deliver multidisciplinary teams (gynecologic oncology, breast surgery, reconstructive specialists, psycho-oncology, rehabilitation) under one roof. This improves continuity, adherence, and outcomes.

B. Enhanced Accessibility

Women-centric centres embedded in urban-peripheral and tier‑2 or tier‑3 cities can reduce travel time, reduce delays, and lower loss‑to‑follow‑up—especially relevant where system delays average 24 weeks, compounding already lengthy patient delays PMC.

C. Reducing Stigma Through Design

Safe, empathetic layouts and enablement of female-centric support services (counseling, peer groups) help combat shame, foster openness, and encourage early detection.

D. Empowering Female Professionals

Embedding female leadership in such centres—clinicians, administrators, researchers—can break the glass‑ceiling described in oncology, and better align services with women’s nuanced needs.

5. Qualified Models Exist

Institutions like Chennai’s Cancer Institute (WIA) have demonstrated focused women’s cancer care and training, evolving since 1952 and designated as a centre of excellence. More recently, King George’s Medical University in Lucknow launched a dedicated Gynaecological Oncology Department to spread awareness, screening, and early treatment for cervical cancer among underserved women

6. A Call to Action

• Scale regional women‑centric centres in underserved states where breast and cervical cancer incidence is rising rapidly—Punjab has seen a 7% increase in breast cancer cases over three years, topping national incidence rates.

• Integrate screening and awareness campaigns with cancer centres—models like West Bengal’s “Pink Corridor” screened nearly 5.9 million women in a year across rural districts, diagnosing 1,900 cases early.

• Embed mentorship and leadership programmes to accelerate women’s presence among oncology leadership.

• Support public–private partnerships that ensure affordability, local access, and culturally sensitive delivery of care, backed by national policy frameworks under NCCP and insurance schemes like Ayushman Bharat