Bengaluru: For many decades, colorectal cancer was the seventh most common cancer to affect Indians, but today, it’s the third most common cancer after lung, breast and cervical cancers. In India, it stands fourth among men and third among women.
Rectal and colon cancers, depending on the origin, share common traits and are grouped together and collectively known as colorectal cancer. It may affect the entire large intestine or colon and rectal part separately.
The Indian Council of Medical Research, Bengaluru recorded second highest Annual Incidence Rates (AIR) of 3.7 in men alone for Colorectal Cancers (CRCs) after 4.1 in Thiruvananthapuram. The highest AIR in women for CRCs was recorded in Nagaland (5.2) followed by Aizawl (4.5).
“Given the fact that our population is far more diverse than the West, we are seeing a different biology in many cancers. Here, we see more of younger population getting affected by rectal cancers, and we are also witnessing more bad pathology. We need more focused work in Colorectal Cancer,” said Dr Shabnam Bashir from the colorectal division at Apollo Hospital.
CRC is a formidable health problem worldwide. It is the third most common cancer in men (6,63,000 cases, 10% of all cancer cases) and the second most common in women (5,71,000 cases, 9.4% of all cancer cases).
With cancer becoming the second leading cause of death globally, city doctors said that 1 in 4 young Bengalurean is at risk of colorectal cancer.
Dr Parameshwar C.M., chief, Bengaluru Smiles Hospital, said that simple lifestyle changes can prevent colorectal cancer, such as limiting alcohol intake, quitting smoking, eating healthy, maintaining a normal weight, being active and getting screened on a regular basis especially if one is above 45 years old.
Dr Narasimhaiah Srinivasaiah from the colorectal team at Apollo Hospital said that there is a large volume of benign colorectal work load that includes colitis, Crohns, ulcerative colitis etc. “In addition there is increasing proctological and pelvic floor problems. A significant workload comes from the functional problems such as bloating, diarrhoea and constipation. Increased intake of fast food, lack of exercise, excessive alcohol, obesity etc can trigger CRC,” he said.
