Gender Gap In Cancer Care: United by Unique, We Can Close the Deep Rooted Divide

I started looking. Looking at the world of cancer care, thinking about what I could do, what we could do, to make a difference. The theme for World Cancer Day 2025, "United by Unique," caught my attention. It wasn’t just a slogan; it felt like a calling. A reminder that at the center of cancer care, we should place the person—the unique individual—not just the disease, the diagnosis, or the statistics. And yet, as I reflected, I couldn’t help but think about the gender disparities I had witnessed over the years.

Women, in particular, often seemed to face a tougher journey. From breast cancer to ovarian cancer, it wasn’t just the biological challenges they dealt with—it was the way society, and sometimes even the healthcare system, added weight to their burden. Early diagnoses, more aggressive treatments, and social stigmas were all pieces of a puzzle that felt like it was stacked against them. As if nature had created the divide, and society had sharpened it.

But then I asked myself: What if the solution wasn’t in defying nature, but in understanding it better? What if the real shift came from taking the journey in reverse? Rather than accepting the disparities as an unchangeable fate, could we work to fill those gaps with research, understanding, and—most importantly—compassion?

I imagined a future where cancer care didn’t just treat the disease—it treated the person. Where gender, background, or any other external factor didn’t shape the course of treatment, but rather, the patient’s unique story did. A world where doctors and patients were united, working together to navigate the complexities of cancer, not as separate entities, but as partners in the fight.

We may never erase all the gaps that nature has given us. Some differences are built into our biology. But maybe—just maybe—the most powerful thing we can do is build a system where these differences don’t become barriers to care. Where no one has to fight cancer alone, where every patient is seen for the whole person they are, not just the disease they’re battling.

I believe it’s possible. I believe that, with more research, more dedication, and more understanding, we can challenge the gender gaps in cancer care. We can push back against the assumptions and stereotypes that have shaped this journey for far too long.

It’s a long road ahead, but as I sit here, reflecting on the campaign, I can’t help but feel hopeful. The world is slowly waking up to the importance of placing people at the center of cancer care, to recognizing that our uniqueness is what truly unites us.

And so, with that thought in mind, I sign off, determined to continue the fight for a world where cancer care is truly united by unique stories.

Your Dr. Suresh