Most people ask the same 8 questions before booking.
Common Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick answers to what most of our patients ask before booking.
Can I request a female breast cancer specialist at CION?
Yes. We have senior female medical, surgical, and radiation oncologists on our breast cancer panel. When you book your free consultation, write 'female specialist preferred' in the message field or tell our patient coordinator on the phone. We'll match you to the most suitable female oncologist by subtype and availability.
Will I see the same oncologist at every visit, or different doctors each time?
You see the same consultant oncologist throughout your treatment journey at CION — including your follow-ups for years afterward. If your primary oncologist is unavailable on a particular day, you'll be informed in advance and offered a rescheduled slot or a covering consultant of equivalent seniority — never a junior fellow.
How many breast cancer cases has my doctor personally treated?
Case volumes vary by subspecialty. Our senior surgical oncologists have performed 800+ breast cancer surgeries. Our medical oncology team delivers 2,500+ chemotherapy cycles per year. Radiation oncologists have planned 1,200+ radiation treatments. Specific case-volume figures for any individual consultant are available on request.
Where did your breast cancer specialists train?
Across our panel, training pedigree includes AIIMS New Delhi, Tata Memorial Mumbai, NIMS Hyderabad, SVIMS Tirupati, Kasturba Manipal, Osmania Medical College, plus international fellowships including MRCP UK and ECMO European Medical Oncology certification.
Which languages do CION breast cancer doctors speak?
Across our breast cancer panel: English, Telugu, Hindi, Tamil, Kannada, Malayalam, Urdu, and Marathi. You can request a doctor in your preferred language at booking — particularly important for elderly patients and patients from Andhra Pradesh districts.
What if I don't connect with my doctor — can I switch to another oncologist?
Yes, without question. The doctor-patient relationship in oncology lasts years — fit matters. Tell our patient coordinator and we'll arrange a switch within the panel without any awkward conversation. Continuity of records is automatic.
Can I message my oncologist between appointments?
Yes. Each consultant has a coordinator who handles non-emergency questions and routes them appropriately. For urgent concerns (fever, severe nausea, chest pain), our 24/7 helpline puts you in touch with an on-call oncologist directly. You won't be told to 'wait until your next appointment'.
Is the breast cancer specialist I see a senior consultant or a fellow?
All our breast cancer treatment is led by senior consultants. Fellows and trainees may observe but do not lead patient care or make treatment decisions independently. The panel that signs your treatment plan consists of consultant-grade medical, surgical, and radiation oncologists.
How long does the first consultation with a breast cancer specialist take?
Free first consultations are 30 minutes — long enough for a careful history, physical exam, review of any reports you've brought, and a discussion of next steps. Follow-up consultations are typically 15–20 minutes; specific reviews (genetic counselling, fertility consultations) are scheduled longer.
How does CION match me to the right oncologist for my breast cancer?
We consider tumour subtype (HR-positive, HER2-positive, triple-negative — different oncologists have different specialty interests), stage, treatment history, language, gender preference, and which branch is closest to you. Our patient coordinator does the match — we don't run a 'pick from a list' model that often leads to mis-fits.
CION Ameerpet
4.8 · 800+ Google reviews · 17+ oncologists
Senior female medical oncologists on staff — request at booking
