Diet changes needed to combat colon cancer

Chennai: With colon cancers witnessing a 10.1 per cent annual increase in the state and rectal cancers a 4.9 per cent annual increase, measures to prevent the disease at an early stage and creating awareness on the same has become the need of the hour.

With this in mind, Fortis Malar Hospital launched its Comprehensive Colorectal Clinic on Saturday. The clinic was launched with the intention of creating awareness on the disease, Colorectal cancer (CRC), which is the third most common cancer among men and the second most common among women, was not among the top 10 cancers until 2012.

A team of researchers recently found that a diet high in fat increases the risk of colorectal cancer (bowel cancer) as it causes cells in the gut to mutate. “It is one of the major health problems worldwide and in India, as compared to ten years back, incidences are drastically rising especially among those below 45 years of age,” said Dr Mohan Rao, senior consultant, minimal access surgery, Fortis.

Recent studies showed that more than one in ten cases take place among those below 50 years of age.

“Many younger people are developing the disease. Positive changes in young adults in terms of food habits could help reduce the incidence by 77 per cent,” said Dr Deepak Subramanian, Consultant - Minimal Access and Bariatric Surgery.

“Consumption of red meat and westernization of diet are a few common factors responsible for the growth in the incidence of this disease,” added Dr Deepak.
By 2030, incidences of CRC in the age group of 20 to 34 can increase by almost 90 per cent, he said quoting studies.