If you are in Sri Lanka and have just been diagnosed with breast cancer, India is one of the closest countries offering specialist oncology care. The flight from Colombo to Chennai, Bangalore, or Mumbai takes between two and four hours. Many Sri Lankan patients choose Indian specialist centres for pathology review, surgical planning, chemotherapy, radiation, and targeted therapy - often at a fraction of what the same care costs in Western countries. This guide covers which centres Sri Lankan patients typically choose, what treatment is likely to cost, how to apply for a medical visa, and what to arrange before you travel and after you return home.

Why Sri Lankan Patients Choose India for Breast Cancer Care

Breast cancer is the most common cancer among Sri Lankan women. Sri Lanka's national cancer database shows that the age-standardised incidence of female breast cancer rose from 17.3 to 24.7 per 100,000 between 2001 and 2010, and the burden has continued to grow since. A 2025 WHO-IAEA-IARC joint assessment of Sri Lanka's cancer services found that 37% of breast cancer cases are identified at stage III or above - meaning many women reach diagnosis at a point where access to advanced specialist care matters most.

India offers several things that may be harder to access locally: dedicated breast oncology teams, tumour profiling (including hormone receptor status - oestrogen receptor and progesterone receptor - and HER2 testing), a wider range of surgical approaches, and typically shorter waits for specialist consultations. For patients in the Western Province, the travel time from Colombo to Chennai is comparable to a domestic long-haul journey.

Patients from South Asia and the Middle East make this choice for the same reasons. As explored in our guide to why GCC patients travel to India for cancer treatment, specialist expertise and accessible cost draw patients from across the region.

Which Cities and Centres Do Sri Lankan Patients Typically Choose?

Chennai is the most common first stop for Sri Lankan patients. The city is geographically closest to Sri Lanka, Tamil is widely spoken there, and Chennai has a concentration of hospitals with well-established international patient services for oncology. Bangalore, Mumbai, and Hyderabad are also popular for their specialist breast oncology programmes. Delhi and Gurgaon attract patients looking for second opinions or complex case reviews at very high-volume centres.

When you are evaluating a centre, ask specifically whether it has a dedicated breast oncology unit and a multidisciplinary tumour board that reviews individual cases. Ask whether the centre can perform pathology review on slides sent from Sri Lanka, and whether it has a coordinator who speaks Sinhala or Tamil. An international patient services office at the hospital can also assist with your visa invitation letter, local accommodation referrals, and appointment coordination.

You do not need to commit to a centre before you leave Colombo. An online second opinion - sharing your biopsy report and imaging with an oncologist in India via video - lets you confirm your diagnosis, understand your treatment plan, and decide which centre fits your case before you book a flight.

What Does Breast Cancer Treatment Cost in India?

Cost is one of the main reasons Sri Lankan patients consider travelling to India. Prices vary by hospital tier, city, treatment subtype, and cancer stage. The table below uses published research figures as a reference point, but every patient should request a written, itemised cost estimate from the hospital's international patient office before booking travel. The published figures come from subsidised public institutions; private hospital rates for international patients are higher.

Public sector reference figures from: Out-of-pocket payment and financial risk protection for breast cancer treatment - a prospective study from Tata Memorial Centre, Mumbai (PMC, 2024). Tata Memorial is a heavily subsidised government institution; international patient costs at private hospitals are significantly higher. All figures are for reference only.

The figures above reflect what Indian domestic patients paid at a heavily subsidised public hospital. Sri Lankan patients treated at private hospitals should expect to pay considerably more for each component, particularly for HER2-targeted therapies or more complex surgical procedures. Always request a written breakdown before you travel, and budget separately for accommodation, flights for you and any accompanying family member, and any medications you will continue at home.

How to Apply for an Indian Medical Visa from Sri Lanka

You need a Medical Visa - not a tourist visa - to receive hospital-based cancer treatment in India. The High Commission of India in Colombo processes these applications. You can bring up to two family members on Medical Attendant Visas. Here is the basic process:

1. Contact the hospital in India and ask for an official appointment letter on hospital letterhead. It must include your full name, passport number, the names and passport numbers of your accompanying family members, the reason for the visit, and the expected duration of treatment.
2. Gather your supporting documents: diagnosis papers from your Sri Lankan oncologist or hospital, recent imaging and pathology reports, and six months of bank statements showing sufficient funds to cover costs.
3. Complete the online visa application through India's Medical and Ayush Visa Portal.
4. Submit your application and supporting documents to the High Commission of India in Colombo or the nearest Indian visa application centre in Sri Lanka.
5. Once your visa is approved, book your flights. Most Sri Lankan patients fly from Bandaranaike International Airport (Colombo) to Chennai International Airport, Kempegowda International Airport (Bangalore), or Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (Mumbai).

Apply as early as possible - ideally as soon as you have the hospital appointment letter in hand. If your tumour type means treatment should begin promptly, let the visa office know when you submit your application.

What Records and Scans to Bring

Arriving with complete records means your oncologist in India can begin planning your care from the first appointment, with fewer repeat tests on arrival. Bring physical copies and digital files - on a USB drive or in a secure cloud folder - of the following:

• Your biopsy or surgical pathology report, including hormone receptor (ER, PR) and HER2 status
• All imaging: mammogram, ultrasound, MRI of the breast, and any PET-CT or bone scan if performed
• Blood test results and tumour markers if available
• Your Sri Lankan oncologist's treatment recommendation letter
• A full list of all current medications and dosages
• Your passport, visa documents, and travel insurance details

If your Sri Lankan hospital can release the physical pathology slides or tissue blocks, many Indian specialist centres can perform their own pathology review - which may add an important layer of confidence to your diagnosis. Our article on accessing precision medicine centres for breast cancer treatment abroad explains how genomic profiling of your tumour may open additional treatment options at Indian specialist centres that are not yet available locally.

What Surgical Options Are Available for Breast Cancer in India?

Specialist breast oncology centres in India offer a range of surgical options: breast-conserving surgery (lumpectomy), simple mastectomy, and modified radical mastectomy. Many dedicated breast units also offer nipple-sparing mastectomy and skin-sparing mastectomy for patients who are planning reconstruction. Robotic-assisted surgical approaches are available at select high-volume centres. If you want a plain-English explanation of what these procedures actually involve before your first consultation, a deeper look at nipple-sparing and skin-sparing surgical techniques is available at BreastCancer.One.

The right surgical approach for you depends on your tumour size and location, your hormone receptor and HER2 status, whether you will have chemotherapy before or after surgery, and your personal preferences regarding reconstruction. Your multidisciplinary team should review all of these factors together in a tumour board discussion before making a surgical recommendation.

Travel, Accommodation, and Language Support

Large Indian cancer centres that regularly treat international patients typically have an international patient services office. This team can help arrange accommodation near the hospital - such as hospital guesthouses or serviced apartments - interpreter services, and appointment coordination so you are not handling things alone.

Chennai is particularly convenient for Sri Lankan patients because Tamil is the first language of a large part of the city, which reduces language barriers for Tamil-speaking patients. If you are Sinhala-speaking, ask the hospital before you confirm your booking whether a Sinhala-speaking interpreter or patient coordinator is available.

Budget for a stay of four to eight weeks if you are receiving surgery followed by initial chemotherapy sessions before returning to Sri Lanka to continue treatment locally. Patients who need radiation therapy may need to plan for a longer stay, since radiation is typically given daily over several weeks. Ask the hospital's international office for a list of vetted nearby accommodation options and an indicative price range before you travel.

Leaving home for cancer treatment can affect sleep and stress levels for both patients and caregivers during preparation and while traveling. If sleep or stress becomes an issue, talk to your doctor about support options.

Staying Connected With Your Care Team After You Return Home

Breast cancer treatment rarely ends with a single trip. You may return to Sri Lanka mid-treatment and continue hormone therapy, follow-up imaging, or blood monitoring locally, with your Indian oncologist reviewing results remotely. Many large Indian hospitals offer video follow-up appointments for international patients. Before you leave India, confirm: who is your point of contact for results, how are reports shared securely, and how do you book a follow-up video call?

You can book a video consultation with a breast oncology specialist online. Upload your latest scan reports and imaging, and receive a written report within 48 hours without leaving Colombo. Consultations are typically available within 48 hours.

For a full guide to managing the months after your treatment trip ends, our article on managing follow-up and recovery at home after cancer treatment in India covers the key questions to resolve before you leave the hospital.

Should You Get an Online Second Opinion Before You Travel?

Getting a second opinion before you travel is a practical, normal step - not a sign of distrust in your current doctor. It helps you confirm your diagnosis, check whether the proposed treatment plan matches current evidence, and decide whether India is the right setting for your specific case before you commit to flights and accommodation.

You can book a video consultation with a breast oncology specialist online. Upload your pathology report and imaging securely, and receive a written report within 48 hours from home in Colombo.

When to Talk to Your Doctor

If you are considering treatment in India, share that plan with your current oncologist in Sri Lanka. They can help coordinate your records transfer, write a formal referral letter, and advise on timing - particularly if your tumour type means treatment should begin within a specific window. If you are waiting for a visa or a hospital appointment and notice any new or worsening symptoms, contact your local medical team right away.

This article is for general information and is not a substitute for medical advice. Always consult your oncologist or care team about your specific situation.