New Delhi: Apollo Hospitals Enterprise Ltd added a new feather to its cap with the launch of Apollo Athenaa, Asia’s first cancer centre exclusively dedicated to women.
Located in New Delhi’s Defence Colony, this state-of-the-art facility aims to address critical gaps in the diagnosis, treatment, and long-term care of breast and gynecological cancers, diseases that are on the rise across India and the region.
In an exclusive interview with journalist Rashmi Mabiyan Kaur, Dr. Preetha Reddy, Executive Vice Chairperson of Apollo Hospitals, shares insights into the vision, challenges, and business rationale behind this pioneering initiative of providing specialized, compassionate, and world-class cancer care for women.
Q. What led to the idea of establishing a cancer care hospital dedicated to women? And from a business perspective, how do you see this differentiation strengthening Apollo’s leadership in oncology care?
The impetus for Apollo Athenaa came from several critical observations. Women often delay their checkups or hesitate to discuss symptoms, which means cancers, particularly breast and gynecological cancers, are often detected late.
Women’s cancers require a very specialized approach — their genomic makeup is different, which means treatment protocols and drug dosages must be carefully tailored.
More importantly, women often desire an exclusive and supportive environment for treatment, a space that feels designed just for them.
We’ve collaborated with global centers of excellence to bring cutting-edge knowledge and protocols together under one roof, focused solely on women’s cancers.
Every patient here undergoes a detailed tumor board review, ensuring the best multidisciplinary treatment plan.
Apollo has nearly 30 years of experience in cancer care, and we’re combining that legacy with state-of-the-art technology and precision oncology, including immunotherapy.
What sets Athenaa apart is our commitment to long-term care — not just treatment, but continuous follow-ups, survivorship care, and monitoring, which are often missed elsewhere. This connection is critical to preventing relapse and metastasis.
Q. Cancer care is seeing growing private sector investment. What business case convinced Apollo that a women-specific cancer facility would be sustainable and scalable?
The rise in breast and gynecological cancers is significant and growing, and the patient volumes are already substantial. Delhi is a strategic location, not only serving local patients but also attracting medical travelers from other countries seeking specialized care.
Being the first dedicated women’s cancer center in Asia gives us a clear first-mover advantage. We are confident this model is sustainable because it addresses an unmet need with quality and focus, which patients and families value deeply.
Q. Do patients specifically request women doctors for breast and gynecological cancers? Is there a gender preference in the medical team?
Comfort is definitely a factor for many women — having a female oncologist or gynecologist can ease anxieties during sensitive consultations.
However, quality and expertise remain the top priority. For example, complex surgeries like reconstructive breast surgery or vascular work are often performed by highly skilled male surgeons because their expertise is paramount.
So, while there is some preference for women doctors in certain specialties, it does not limit the involvement of male specialists when needed. The focus is always on the best possible care.
Q. What has been the scale of investment behind Athenaa and the kind of return on investment Apollo anticipates?
Athenaa represents an investment of about Rs 60 crores. From a business standpoint, the center contributes to Apollo’s broader oncology ecosystem, which has been growing at an 18–20 per cent annual rate. So, Athenaa will augment this growth and improve our aggregate oncology portfolio. Our focus is on the entire continuum of oncology care rather than just one standalone center.
Q. How is Apollo planning to maintain leadership in oncology?
Oncology will continue to be a key focus area for Apollo as we expand across India. Every new location we develop will have significant oncology capabilities because the demand for specialized cancer care and more oncology beds is immense nationwide.
Q. Is Apollo considering collaborations with government schemes, insurers, or corporates to make cancer care more affordable for women?
Absolutely. While quality cancer care inevitably comes at a cost, we are committed to making it as affordable as possible. We continually explore ways to reduce drug costs, staffing efficiencies, and infrastructure expenses. Partnerships with insurers, government programs, and corporates can play a vital role, and we are open to all avenues that improve affordability for women.
Q. How do you see the specialized women’s cancer care market evolving in India and Asia over the next decade?
The market is poised to grow at a minimum of 20 per cent year-on-year. Patients increasingly demand security and specialized care. As awareness improves and more women seek out best-in-class, dedicated centers, the demand will naturally rise. This is not just a trend but a necessary evolution in healthcare to meet the unique needs of women’s cancers.
