Current status of gynecological cancer care in India

Cancer has become an important public health problem with over 800,000 new cases occurring every year in India. It is estimated that there are nearly 2.5 million cases in the country with nearly 400,000 deaths occurring due to cancer. Cancers of the female reproductive tract and breast has a high incidence amongst Indian women. Cancer registries have also highlighted that more than 70% of cancers in females occur in the age group of 35-64, and that these cancers exercise an adverse influence on the productive role of women in our society. Over 70% of patients report for diagnostic and treatment services at an advanced stage of disease, resulting in poor survival and high mortality rates. More than 50% were compliant to treatment protocol, less than 30% default during adjuvant therapy and 20% default after the preliminary investigation. Overall, 30% complete follow up in the regional institutes and 70-80% in private comprehensive care centers for five years.