Apollo Athenaa, Asia’s first dedicated cancer centre for women, is pushing a decisive shift in breast cancer care from ambiguity to evidence-led precision. Marking International Women’s Day, the Apollo Athenaa Cancer Conclave 2026, themed “From Grey Zones to Black & White in the Management of Breast Cancer,” brings together leading breast surgeons, medical oncologists, breast reconstruction surgeons, radiologists and international experts to translate cutting-edge science into clear, patient-centric clinical decisions.
Built on the vision of moving breast cancer care in India from uncertainty to clarity, Apollo Athenaa is addressing long-standing “grey zones” in treatment, where fear-driven overtreatment has often overshadowed personalised approaches. The conclave focuses on how advances in high-resolution imaging, meticulous tumour mapping, neoadjuvant systemic therapy and sophisticated oncoplastic reconstruction can enable tailored care pathways that prioritise both oncological safety and quality of life.
Despite growing awareness and rapid advancements, treatment gaps remain stark. While a large proportion of early-stage breast cancer patients in Western countries now undergo breast conservation surgery, breast preservation rates in India remain significantly lower, with many women still receiving mastectomy or extensive axillary surgery even when global evidence supports more conservative options. The conclave aims to help close this gap by encouraging the adoption of precision-led, multidisciplinary practices that align Indian protocols with the latest international standards.
“The management of breast cancer is entering an era of greater clarity, where decisions are increasingly guided by robust evidence rather than fear,” said Dr. Geeta Kadayaprath, Principal Lead, Apollo Athenaa Women’s Cancer Centre. “With advances in imaging, tumour mapping and oncoplastic expertise, we can offer personalised treatment that ensures oncological safety while preserving quality of life.”
Dr. Preetha Reddy, Executive Vice Chairman, Apollo Hospitals, emphasised the strategic intent behind Athenaa’s model. “At Apollo Athenaa Women’s Cancer Centre, our focus is to accelerate the adoption of evidence-driven, precision oncology practices in India. By bringing together global expertise and multidisciplinary collaboration, we aim to ensure that every woman benefits from treatment decisions rooted in science, innovation and long-term wellbeing.”
From a systemic treatment standpoint, the conclave highlights how a deeper understanding of tumour biology and targeted therapies is reshaping medical oncology. “Medical and precision oncology today is no longer about a one-size-fits-all approach,” said Dr. Jyoti Wadhwa, Principal Lead, Medical & Precision Oncology, Apollo Athenaa Women’s Cancer Centre. “With the growing role of targeted therapies, we can tailor systemic treatment to each patient’s unique profile, maximising efficacy while minimising harm. The future of breast cancer care lies in precision, and that future is already here.”
Imaging is also rapidly evolving from a purely diagnostic tool to a driver of treatment strategy. “Advanced imaging today using AI is not just diagnosing cancer – it is redefining how we treat it,” noted Dr. Jyoti Arora, Principal Lead, Women’s Imaging, Apollo Athenaa Women’s Cancer Centre. “With minimally invasive techniques such as cryoablation, we can freeze and destroy the cancer in selected patient groups without traditional surgery, and with precise tumour mapping, we can offer women less aggressive surgical options without compromising on safety or outcomes.”
International experts participating in the pre-conclave discussions underscored that global data increasingly support carefully selected surgical de-escalation without compromising cancer control. Collaborative platforms like the Apollo Athenaa Cancer Conclave are critical to translating such advances into daily practice, strengthening the adoption of personalised, evidence-based breast cancer care in India, and moving the needle from grey to black-and-white in clinical decision-making.
