Why most women with cancer in India die young
An ingrained gender bias and poor access to healthcare results in women delaying or ignoring medical diagnosis until is too late.
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When I first met Amrita Singh at Gadge Maharaj Dharamshala, a subsidised hostel for cancer patients close to the Tata Memorial Hospital in Mumbai, it was hard to believe she had cancer. Of medium build and height, dressed in a lime green salwar-kurta and her long hair tied in a bun, Amrita looked healthy.
There was an intelligence about her but it was clear she liked to keep to herself. She opened up when her friend at the dharmshala, Tulasi, another breast cancer survivor, spoke to us. The naturally charismatic Tulasi had us in splits and listening to her, Amrita slowly opened up.
At 34, Amrita had been told to get her affairs in order. Her breast cancer had progressed to stage 4 and spread to her liver, lungs and skin. After two years of living in Mumbai, often without a permanent shelter and little money, the doctors at the Tata Memorial Hospital had told her that they have done all they could for her and she should spend the rest of her days with her family in Delhi.
Amrita’s cancer was detected at stage 3. Her economic condition, the Covid-19 pandemic and the national lockdown – all played a part in delaying treatment and...
