Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta inaugurated Apollo Athenaa, Asia’s first dedicated women-only cancer centre, established by Apollo Hospitals Enterprise Ltd (AHEL) in Defence Colony. The facility aims to deliver specialised, holistic care for cancers that primarily affect women. The launch was attended by Apollo Group Founder-Chairman Dr. Prathap C Reddy, Lok Sabha MP Bansuri Swaraj, MLA Neeraj Basoya, AHEL Executive Vice Chairperson Preetha Reddy, and Harshad Reddy, Director, Group Oncology.
Recent studies have shown that more women than men are being diagnosed with cancer in India, with breast and cervical cancers ranking among the most common. According to the Indian Council of Medical Research’s (ICMR) National Cancer Registry Programme, these two types of cancer make up a significant portion of cases. GLOBOCAN 2022 estimates also highlight that nearly 54 per cent of cancer incidence among Indian women is linked to cancers that predominantly affect them.
Reddy mentioned the centre represents “a new horizon in women’s healthcare, where cutting-edge science meets compassion, ensuring dignity and timely care.” Athenaa provides women-only cancer pathways, privacy-focused treatment spaces, and holistic lounges for counselling and emotional support. Its services include robotic-assisted, laparoscopic and microscopic surgeries, nutritional and menopausal care, onco-psychology, physiotherapy, palliative care, and digital
features like tele-consultations. With its dedicated approach to women’s cancers, Apollo Athenaa marks a milestone in India’s healthcare journey. At a time when cancer rates among women are on the rise, the centre promises not only advanced treatment but also an environment that prioritises dignity, privacy, and emotional wellbeing.