Advancing the Fight Against Cancer: Leading Hospitals in India

Cancer is one of the most challenging diseases for people worldwide, affecting millions of lives every year. The burden of cancer in India has increased over the last 20 years and is expected to increase more in the coming years. The battle against this disease has intensified with advancements in healthcare and newer technologies offering hope to patients. 

India has developed as a popular destination for treating cancer, and people worldwide come to India. India has advanced medical facilities, including cutting-edge technology and state-of-art facilities. 

This article sheds light on the Best Cancer Hospitals in India where patients are treated with compassion, creating an environment where patients and their families feel valued, understood, and cared for. Indian hospitals provide transparency to the patients and their families regarding the availability of all treatment options and the cost of each treatment. 

What is Cancer?

It is a life-threatening disease in which some of the cells of the body start going uncontrollably. These abnormal cells can spread to other body parts and affect healthy cells as well.

Cancer can start anywhere in the body, spreading to various other body parts through the bloodstream. Cancer can lead to serious complications if not diagnosed and treated on time. 

These abnormal cells may collect and form tumors or a mass. These tumors can be cancerous or noncancerous. Many treatment options like Chemotherapy, Targeted Therapies, Radiation therapy, Surgeries, or a combination of these have emerged as popular options for cancer treatment. 

What are the Causes and Symptoms of Cancer?

Causes of Cancer

Cancer can be caused because of various reasons, such as: 

1. Genetics: Some abnormally mutated genes can cause cancer. If you have a parent or grandparents who had cancer, you are more likely to get it as compared. It is advised to get precautionary genetic testing done to rule out the risk. 
2. Environmental Factors: Exposure to certain kinds of carcinogens such as smoke, asbestos, radiation, and cancer-causing food items can also be a leading cause. 
3. Lifestyle Choices: Smoking and consumption of alcohol are the leading causes of cancer worldwide. Lack of physical activity can also trigger factors that could lead to the disease. 
4. Immune System: A weakened immune system that is not able to fight abnormal cell growth can also lead to cancer. 
5. Viruses and Infections: Certain viruses like HPV (Human Papillomavirus) or Hepatitis B can also lead to cancer. 

Symptoms of Cancer:

The symptoms can vary depending on the type and stage of the disease, but some general signs to watch for include:

1. Extreme Fever
2. Unexplained Weight Loss
3. Fatigue
4. Pain
5. Changes in the Skin
6. Changes in Bowel or Bladder Habits
7. Lumps or Swellings
8. Changes in the Menstrual Cycle

How can cancer be prevented? 

Preventing cancer involves adopting certain lifestyle changes and implementing early detection measures. While there’s no surefire way to guarantee cancer prevention, the following practices can significantly reduce the risk:

1. Consuming a Healthy Diet
2. Regular Physical Exercise
3. Avoid Tobacco and Alcohol
4. Protection from Sun
5. Vaccinations
6. Occupational and Environmental Protection
7. Regular Health Checkups
8. Genetic Testing
9. Maintaining a healthy diet and weight
10. Managing Stress

Which are the Best Cancer Hospitals in India?

India has some of the best hospitals for the treatment of cancer. These hospitals have the latest technologies, renowned oncologists, and a multidisciplinary team of doctors and surgeons that offer the best treatment options available per the patient’s needs. 

Some of the Best Cancer Hospitals in India include: 

Indraprastha Apollo Hospital, New Delhi

• Indraprastha Hospital, Sarita Vihar, New Delhi, was established in 1996. This hospital is NABL and JCI accredited. 
• The Apollo group of hospitals all over India offers more than 10,000 beds across 64 countries present all over India. They also have a wide network of Pharmacies, Diagnostic Labs, and Tele-Consultation options for patients. 
• Apollo Hospital provides comprehensive, advanced treatment for cancer. This hospital has the best team of doctors and surgeons who treat patients with their medical expertise. 
• Apollo Hospital collaborates with leading cancer research centers all over the world, having access to clinical trials and new treatments available. 
• They provide support care centers for post and during surgery, such as management of pain, diet and nutrition counseling, and psychological support to patients and their families. 
• They utilize advanced technologies such as minimally invasive techniques, which helps in faster healing and minimizes patients’ discomfort. 
• These hospitals have the best screening and diagnostic machines, which help with early cancer detection. Remember, early detection is also better because the cancer has not spread to other parts of the body. 

Manipal Hospital (Old Airport Road) Bangalore

• Manipal Hospital Bangalore was established in 1991. It has the third largest network of healthcare all across India. Manipal Hospital is accredited by NABH and NABL (ISQUA).
• The hospital offers advanced options for the treatment of cancer, including chemotherapy, radiation therapy, targeted therapy, and surgeries. 
• Manipal Hospital has a dedicated cancer care unit where patients are kept without any disturbance. These units have the best oncologists. 
• The hospital promotes a patient-centric approach and provides personalized treatment options for all patients. They make a shared decision between the patient and the doctors.
• They emphasize a multidisciplinary approach where a team of specialists, including oncologists, surgeons, radiologists, and other doctors, create plans for complex cancer cases. 
• They have a dedicated cancer research center that actively conducts clinical trials and contributes to advancements in cancer treatment.
• They provide palliative care, help manage pain, and provide psychological support to patients and their families through treatment. 

Fortis Memorial Research Institute, Gurgaon

• Fortis Memorial Research Institute was established in 1996 in Gurgaon. It has over 55 facilities in India and abroad. 
• The hospital is NABH Accredited multidisciplinary tertiary care hospital. 
• Fortis is committed to providing high-quality cancer care along with a focus on innovation and research. 
• The hospital has collaborated with various international cancers and stays forefront on the treatment of advanced cancer treatment. 
• The hospital has advanced medical facilities and is equipped with advanced technologies like CyberKnife and TomoTherapy for precisely targeted radiation treatment. 
• It has a high-tech molecular diagnostic laboratory, enabling precise genetic profiling of cancer. 
• The hospital also provides teleconsultation services to people worldwide from expert oncologists to benefit from expert opinion without travel constraints.

Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital, Mumbai

• Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital, Mumbai, was established in 2009 by Reliance Group.
• It is a tertiary care hospital accredited by JCI, NABH, CAP (USA), and NABL (India) for its high-quality services.
• The hospital specializes in personalized treatment care plans along with cutting-edge treatment for diagnosis and treatment.
• Kokilaben Dhirubhai Hospital has an expert team of surgeons, Oncologists, and support staff for holistic care of the patient. It provides comprehensive cancer care treatment, all under one roof. 
• It also offers advanced diagnostic imaging facilities, including MRIs and PET-CT Scans, for accurate staging of cancer and thereby deciding the treatment plan. 
• The hospital specializes in Precision medicine approaches like molecular profiling, Identifying genetic markers to provide targeted therapy for the treatment of cancer.
• The hospital also conducts regular public health seminars to educate the community and helps in spreading cancer awareness and early detection. 

Apollo Hospitals, Greams Road, Chennai

• Apollo Hospital, Greams Road, Chennai, was established in 1983 and specializes in cancer care and treatment. 
• The hospital has advanced cancer treatment facilities and state-of-the-art radiation oncology and collaborates with renowned international cancer care centers for the newest cancer treatment techniques.
• The hospital provides compassionate care and support services for patients and their families. 
• Provides comprehensive survivorship care programs, addressing the long-term physical and emotional needs of cancer survivors.

Overall, if you plan to come to India for cancer treatment, you’re making the right decision. India has some of the finest cancer hospitals in the world, offering a ray of hope to patients battling this challenging disease. These hospitals exemplify excellence in cancer care with their advanced medical infrastructure, top-notch oncologists, and groundbreaking research initiatives. These institutions’ unwavering dedication to improving patients’ lives and conquering cancer is truly commendable. The cost of cancer treatment in India is also less compared to other countries.