Colorectal cancer is increasingly becoming a public health concern in India. It has steadily increased over the past two decades. Though the incidence of CRC is still much lower in India compared to the West, urban areas are increasingly seeing an alarming trend, particularly in people under 50 years. According to ICMR, colorectal cancer accounts for 7-8% of all cancer cases in India, with over 70,000 new cases being diagnosed every year. Unlike the Western world, where life-style factors- obesity and ready-to-eat food are high contributors, but genetic factors come into play alongside an increase of IBD. Low fiber consumption is also included in the disease. Late detections are a common problem because it is not the routine screening practices in India leading to low survival rates. This underscores the importance of early detection and lifestyle changes and increased awareness for a reduction in the mortality rate of CRC.
Know your colon cancer
