Bowel Cancer: A growing problem in India

India is slowly becoming the capital of many diseases. The main reason for which is the tremendous dramatic change in Indian food. The Indian food system has moved from home kitchens to hotel restaurants and processed food.
Due to these changes, there seems to be an increase in intestinal diseases and cancer.
Bowel cancer, also known as colorectal cancer. It is a fatal disease that develops in the large intestine or rectum. Which is a significant health concern globally including India. The rising incidence of bowel cancer in India has raised concerns among health professionals and policy makers.

Bowel cancer has emerged as a major cause of cancer related morbidity and mortality in India. As per the latest available data, it is estimated that around 40,000 new cases of colorectal cancer were reported in India in 2020, which is around 8% of all cancer cases in the country. The annual incidence rates (AARs) of colon cancer and rectal cancer in men are 4.4 and 4.1 per 100,000, respectively. The AAR for colon cancer in women is 3.9 per 100,000. Among men, colon cancer ranks 8th and rectal cancer ranks 9th. For women, rectal cancer does not figure in the top 10 cancers, while colon cancer ranks 9th.

Regional Variations: The incidence of bowel cancer shows regional variations across India. Higher rates have been observed in urban areas as compared to rural areas. The southern and western states of India, including Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu and Kerala, have higher rates of colorectal cancer than the northern and eastern states.
Bowel cancer can affect individuals of different age groups, but the risk increases significantly after the age of 40. The disease is increasingly being diagnosed in young individuals, emphasizing the need for awareness and early detection.

Changing lifestyle patterns in India, including sedentary habits, low physical activity, consumption of processed foods, low-fiber diet and excess red and processed meat, contribute to an increased risk of bowel cancer. These factors can lead to obesity, which is a known risk factor for the disease.

Family history and genetic factors: Individuals who have a family history of bowel cancer or specific genetic conditions such as familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) and Lynch syndrome are at greater risk.

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD): Chronic conditions such as ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease, collectively known as inflammatory bowel disease, may increase your risk of developing colorectal cancer over time.

The increasing incidence of bowel cancer in India is a cause for concern due to various factors:

Lack of awareness: Limited public awareness about bowel cancer and its early symptoms contributes to delayed diagnosis and late-stage detection, reducing the chances of successful treatment outcomes.

Screening and early detection: There is a need to strengthen screening programs and increase access to diagnostic facilities to detect colorectal cancer at an early stage, when treatment is more effective

Lifestyle modification: Promoting healthy lifestyle choices, including regular physical activity, a balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables and fiber, and reducing consumption of processed and red meat, may help reduce the risk of bowel cancer.

Bowel cancer is a growing concern in India, given its rising rates and potential challenges. It is essential to increase awareness of the disease, promote early detection through screening programs, and prioritize lifestyle changes to reduce risk factors associated with colorectal cancer. By focusing on prevention, early diagnosis and improving health care infrastructure, India can tackle the growing burden of bowel cancer and improve patient outcomes in the future.