Colon cancer cases on rise in India

Chennai: Supraja A. (23), a postgraduate student, was shocked to see blood in her stool. True, her stomach had been acting funny for over a month and her bowel movements were suddenly different. But, she never thought she would have to see a doctor about it.  

Such was the case with Ramesh Kumar, a 53-year-old senior government official. He was also experiencing change in his bowel movements with regular complaints of diarrhoea and constipation for a few days, accompanied by persistent weakness and fatigue, and unexplained weight loss.

They reported it to their respective family doctors and were shocked at the reports. Kumar was diagnosed with colorectal cancer (CRC), while Supraja was given a warning of developing the same if she did not change her food habits and lifestyle.

The third most common cancer across the world, colorectal cancer accounts for nearly 1.4 million new cases and 6,94,000 deaths per year. Approximately, one in three cases of colorectal cancers are found to be localised in the rectum.

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.

“While you can do little to control the risk factors, a personal history of colorectal polyps or colorectal cancer, a personal history of inflammatory bowel disease, and a family history of colorectal cancer, one can also do a lot about lifestyle-related factors responsible to cause the cancer,” advises Dr Venkatesh Munikrishnan, Colorectal Surgeon, Apollo Hospital.

According to researchers, lack of regular involvement in vigorous physical activity accounts for 12-14 per cent cases of colon cancer.