With India witnessing over 1.4 million new cancer cases annually—many diagnosed in advanced stages—experts are emphasizing the need for a shift toward multidisciplinary cancer care to improve outcomes and reduce patient burden.

Parkway Cancer Centre (PCC), a leading cancer care provider based in Singapore, is championing this integrated approach, which brings together a team of specialists across various disciplines to collaboratively plan and deliver treatment. This model, already well-established at PCC, is now gaining momentum in India as a way to address rising cancer burdens and healthcare gaps, especially between urban and rural populations.

“In a traditional setting, patients often have to shuttle between specialists—gynaecologists, oncologists, surgeons, and plastic surgeons—leading to fragmented care and emotional distress,” explained Dr. Ang Peng Tiam, Senior Consultant, Medical Oncologist and Medical Director at PCC.

“A multidisciplinary team eliminates these silos. For example, in the case of HER2-positive breast cancer, a patient would typically require input from multiple doctors at different stages. Our approach consolidates all expertise under one coordinated plan, saving time and easing the emotional toll.”

The concept of multidisciplinary cancer care isn't just about pooling medical expertise—it’s also about offering holistic, patient-centered support. Parkway’s model includes everything from pain management and nutritional guidance to psychological counselling and palliative care, all integrated into the treatment plan.

One of the significant advantages of this approach is personalization. By factoring in genetic profiles and lifestyle considerations, PCC’s teams craft targeted, responsive treatment plans tailored to individual patients.

Another strength lies in expert consensus. "Having oncologists, radiologists, pathologists, and surgeons review each case together allows us to formulate highly informed, evidence-backed decisions that reflect the best available options,” Dr. Ang noted.

Seamless coordination is also a hallmark of the multidisciplinary model. By centralizing appointments, tests, and therapies, it drastically reduces wait times and logistical hurdles, which can be especially taxing for cancer patients.

Moreover, PCC is helping bridge care disparities in India through virtual expert teams. These remote collaborations support local doctors—especially in rural areas—by helping them structure better treatment protocols, ensuring patients receive high-quality care regardless of location.

Parkway Cancer Centre’s commitment to raising the standard of cancer care reflects a larger transformation in the field—one that goes beyond clinical intervention to encompass emotional, logistical, and social aspects of healing.

“Cancer care must be as much about compassion and support as it is about precision and medicine,” said Dr. Ang. “Our multidisciplinary approach is built on that belief—and it’s making a real difference in patients' lives.”

As India continues to battle a growing cancer crisis, experts believe the future lies in integrated, patient-centric care models like the one pioneered by PCC.