According to the National Institute of Cancer Prevention and Research (NICPR), an estimated 2.25 million people in India suffered from cancer as of March 2018. In the same year, about 413,519 men and 371,302 women patients died of cancer as per data released by the Indian Council of Medical Research. With more than 1,157,294 new cancer cases registered every year, cancer is widespread across India with oral, breast, gastric, cervical, and lung cancers mostly affecting the population. In fact, cancer has been termed as the second biggest killer in India.
Renowned Cancer Hospitals in Delhi-NCR Region
Oncologists in the country often point out that late diagnosis is the reason behind deaths due to cancer. Early detection and timely medical intervention can significantly increase the chances of survival among patients suffering from cancer. There is a growing need for the development of new cancer centers to handle the rise in the number of cancer patients. Delhi ranks among the states with highest incidents of cancers related to breast, cervix-uteri, ovary, oral, lung, and prostate. The national capital has several government and privately-owned hospitals that provide advanced healthcare services to cancer patients. Following are some of the renowned cancer hospitals in Delhi-NCR region:
AIIMS, New Delhi: The country’s most renowned and premium government hospital needs no introduction. Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Institute-Rotary Cancer Hospital has the best of radiotherapy and radio diagnostic machines including stereotactic radiotherapy, state-of-art linear accelerator, and brachytherapy. The hospital also has a vacuum-assisted advanced mammography unit, the first of its kind in India, for stereotactic breast biopsy. Other advanced procedures such as radiofrequency ablation of liver cancer and transrectal sextant biopsy are also performed here. The hospital has a successfully established hematopoietic stem cell bone marrow transplant program, one of the few centres in the country. A preventive oncology and screening program is being run by the hospital to detect early stages of cancer among population.
Address: All India Institute of Medical Sciences,
Ansari Nagar, New Delhi – 110029
Phone: 011 2658 8500/ 2658 8700
Delhi State Cancer Institute: It is an independent medical institution established by the Delhi government in 2006 to provide comprehensive medical care at par with some of the best hospitals in the country, to patients suffering from cancer. This super-specialty hospital was aimed for people who cannot afford expensive cancer treatment in private hospitals. For general category patients, cancer treatment is free or 30-40% cheaper than that offered in private hospitals, and includes medicines, tests, stay and food. No waiting list or appointment for any treatment, coupled with advanced diagnostic and treatment facilities such as digital mammography, digital X-ray unit, Ct scanner with RT simulation, linear accelerators with latest IGRT and IMRT facilities sets this hospital apart.
Address: Delhi State Cancer Institute,
Dilshad Garden, Delhi 110 095
Phone: 011-2213 5700/ 2213 5200
Rajiv Gandhi Cancer Institute and Research Center: The hospital is a project run by Indraprastha Cancer Society & Research Center; a non-profit public society founded in 1994. Built with an aim to provide best comprehensive oncological care, the hospital is now counted among Asia’s premier exclusive cancer centers. Accredited with NABH and NABL, the institute has specialized tertiary care services in the fields of medical, surgical, and radiation oncology. The hospital has an independent bone marrow transplant unit that pioneers in stem cell transplants, MUD transplants, unrelated donor transplants, various endoscopies, and renal replacement therapies. Further, RGCIRC has expertise in highly advanced techniques including intra-operative brachytherapy, whole-body robotic surgery, PET-MRI fusion, tomosynthesis, and Nucleic Acid Testing. At Healthcare Achievers’ Awards 2014, the hospital has been awarded as the best oncology hospital in India.
Address: Rajiv Gandhi Cancer Institute & Research Center,
Sir Chotu Ram Marg, Sector -5, Rohini Institutional Area,
Rohini, New Delhi 110085
Phone: 011-47022222
Rajiv Gandhi Cancer Institute & Research Center,
Squadron Leader Mahender Kumar Jain Marg, Block K,
Niti Bagh, New Delhi 110049
Phone: 011-45822222
Apollo Cancer Centre: Apollo Cancer Center at Indraprastha Apollo Hospitals is considered as one of the best in the country with state-of-art technologies such as frameless stereotactic radiosurgery, intensity modulated radiotherapy, high dose rate brachytherapy, 3D conformal radiotherapy, stereotactic body radiotherapy, and image guided radiotherapy. This multidisciplinary cancer care institute specializes in cancer screening, paediatric oncology and haematology, bone marrow transplants, and robotic surgery. The hospital also runs Hopes Program (Helping Our Patients & Families through Education & Support) to offer psycho-social counselling to patients and their care givers.
Address: Indraprastha Apollo Hospital,
Chennai-Delhi Highway, Mathura Road,
Sarita Vihar, New Delhi 110076
Phone: 1860 500 1066
Max Super Specialty Hospital: Max Institute of Cancer Center specializes in breast cancer, head and neck cancer, haematology oncology, gastrointestinal cancer, gynaecological cancer, urologic oncology, thoracic oncology, neuro oncology, and musculoskeletal oncology. The NABH and ISO accredited hospital has expertise in surgical, radiation, and medical oncology, and is equipped with latest advanced instruments including Da Vinci XI Robotic System to perform minimally invasive surgeries.
Address: Max Institute of Cancer Care-Lajpat Nagar,
26A, Ring Road, Lajpat Nagar,
New Delhi 110024
Phone: 011-3075 1000
Sri Ganga Ram Hospital: The department of medical oncology in Sir Ganga Ram Hospital was started in 1997 and has emerged as one of the pioneering centers for clinical research and bone marrow transplant in the country. The hospital specializes in targeted therapy and immunotherapy, chemotherapy of solid cancers and haematological malignancies, and stem cell transplant and research. Further, the department of medical oncology runs free cancer detection camps for early screening as well as free patient awareness programs and community outreach programs to raise awareness about breast cancer, myeloma, and other types of cancer.
The surgical oncology department is well-known for treating all types of solid tumors, especially those of breast, ovaries, endometrium, and head and neck. The department specializes in surgeries related to thoracic cancer, gastrointestinal cancer, limb salvage, breast cancer, and head and neck cancer.
Address: Sir Ganga Ram Hospital,
Rajinder Nagar, New Delhi 110060
Phone: 011-2586 1002
Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital: Formerly known as Willingdon Hospital, Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital was one of the first exclusive cancer care centers in North India. The hospital’s department of surgical oncology specializes in performing surgeries related to breast cancer, head and neck cancer, gastrointestinal malignancies, breast cancer, and gynaecological cancer. Further, the department provides facia-maxillary, urological, thoracic, and reconstructive surgical care. An outpatient department for surgical oncology is run for 6 days a week, supported by radiotherapy, radiology, and nuclear medicine. The hospital runs a free cancer rehabilitation clinic – Ram Manohar Lohia Cancer Support Group, with the help of former cancer patients and health professionals. Patients are taught post-surgical exercises and are provided with diet plans to take care of their health. Currently, the clinic has three programs including the head and neck cancer support group, the breast cancer support group, and dietary counselling.
Address: Dr. Ram Manohar Lohiya Hospital,
Baba Kharak Singh Marg,
Near Gurudwara Bangla Sahib,
Connaught Place, New Delhi 110001
Phone: 011-2340 4040
Dharamshila Cancer Hospital: This NABH-accredited super specialty hospital is a unit of Dharamshila Cancer Foundation & Research Center and specializes in providing advanced medical care for cancer. The hospital has centres of excellence for breast cancer, lung cancer, head and neck cancer, gynaecological cancer, gastrointestinal cancer, prostate and genitourinary cancer, and haematology, haemato-oncology, and bone marrow transplantation.
Address: Dharamshila Narayana Super Specialty Hospital,
Vasundhara Enclave, Near New Ashok Nagar Metro Station,
Delhi 110096
Phone: 186-0208-0208
Palliative Care to Cancer Patients – An Initiative by Delhi Government
Cancer care is not just limited to screening, surgeries, and radiation. In collaboration with AIIMS cancer department, the Delhi government is planning to reach out and provide counseling and palliative care to cancer patients. The state health department will offer palliative care facilities at its dispensaries, hospitals, and neighborhood clinics. This is being done with the aim to provide cancer treatment closer to the houses of patients. Currently, palliative care is available only in Safdarjung Hospital and AIIMS. In the next couple of months, it would be started in other hospitals including Deen Dayal Upadhyay Hospital, Lok Nayak Jai Prakash Narain Hospital, Sanjay Gandhi Hospital, and Guru Tegh Bahadur Hospital.
Paying for Expensive Cancer Treatment Through Private and Government Health Insurance Plans
Though timely medical intervention is most needed for cancer patients, treatment procedures and medicines are usually expensive. Higher medical bills often cause financial strain on patients suffering from cancer and their caregivers. General health insurance plans do not cover the cost of entire treatment. Hence, it is advisable to avail a comprehensive critical illness insurance cover. Care HI’s Cancer Insurance Mediclaim offers lifelong cancer protection with features such as in-patient hospitalization, ambulance cover, OPD expenses, alternative treatments, chemotherapy and radiotherapy cover, organ donor cover and others.
Further, there are a number of government schemes to fund cancer treatment such as Health Minister’s Cancer Patient Fund, The Health Minister’s Discretionary Grants, The Central Government Health Scheme, National Health Protection Scheme, State Illness Assistance Fund, The Chief Minister’s Relief Fund, and The Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund.
