People used to think that colon cancer was only found in the West, but it's becoming more common in India, and not in a good way.
There has been a consistent rise in cases in the last decade, and the most shocking part? More young adults are being diagnosed than ever before.
Reasons of Rise in Colon Cancer in India
It's not possible to say for sure, but the spike is probably caused by a mix of genetics, changes in lifestyle, and environmental factors.
1. Modern Indian Diet
The food our grandparents ate was homemade and made with fresh ingredients. Many of us eat processed foods, refined sugars, and red meat these days, often skipping the fibre-rich fruits and veggies.
Eating too little fibre slows down processing and leaves the gut open to harmful chemicals, which raises the risk of colon cancer.
2. Epidemic of Sedentary Lifestyle
These days, people don't walk everywhere. Our gut systems don't work as well as they should because we spend too much time at our screens, sit at our desks for too long, and don't move around much.
Colon cancer risk can be lowered by regular exercise, but how many of us make moving a big part of our daily lives?
3. Obesity and Metabolic Disorders
Being overweight is not only a problem for how you look; it is also very bad for your health. Having too much body fat, especially around the stomach, can lead to inflammation and insulin resistance, both of which are linked to colon cancer.
India is getting more and more diabetics, so it's hard to ignore the link between metabolic health and cancer risk.
4. Changes in Gut Health and Microbiomes
A good gut is important for staying healthy and avoiding diseases like colon cancer. Abusing antibiotics, living stressful lives, and making bad food choices are throwing off the balance of bacteria in the gut, which causes inflammation and raises the risk of colon cancer.
5. Genes and Family History
If someone in your family has had colon cancer, you are more likely to get it yourself. Genes don't decide your fate, but they do show how important it is to start taking precautions early on.
The good news? Colon cancer is largely preventable by living a healthy life and early detection.
Prevention Strategies for Colon Cancer
1. Eat foods that are high in fibre.
Fibre is great for keeping your gut healthy. Eat lots of grains, beans, fruits, and vegetables that are good for you. Stay away from prepared foods that have had their fibre content taken out.
2. Don't eat too much red or processed meat.
Several studies have linked eating a lot of red and processed meats (like bacon, sausages, and cold cuts) to getting colon cancer. When you eat meat, choose lean foods like chicken and fish, and try to eat more plant-based meals every day.
3. Get moving
Try to be active for 30 minutes most days of the week. Getting some exercise, like a quick walk, yoga, or working out at the gym, can help your digestion and lower your risk of getting cancer.
4. Make sure you stay at a healthy weight.
Maintaining a healthy weight is critical. Losing even a little extra weight can make you much less likely to get metabolism problems and colon cancer.
5. Be careful with your gut health.
To keep your gut bacteria healthy, eat lots of fermented foods like curd, kimchi, and kefir, as well as probiotics and prebiotics. A healthy gut is good for your immune system, digestion, and general health.
6: Quit smoking and drink less alcohol.
A higher chance of colon cancer has been linked to both smoking and drinking a lot of alcohol. There is no better thing you can do for your health than to stop smoking. If you drink, moderation is key.
7. Get screened: Early detection saves lives
This is the big one. In its early stages, colon cancer often grows slowly and without any obvious symptoms. If you have signs like blood in your stool, stomach pain that won't go away, or weight loss that you can't explain, the disease may have already got worse.
Polyps that could turn into cancer can be found before they become deadly with regular screening, especially if you have a family history of it. Screening tests like colonoscopies and stool tests can really save lives.
Our lack of attention to colon cancer is no longer acceptable. The way people in India live now—with fast food, long work hours, and not much exercise is making it easy for cancer rates to rise.
You are in charge of your own health. You can change your future by what you do today, like what you eat, how often you work out, and whether you get checked. Start out small. Switch out processed snacks for fresh fruits, take a walk every day, and if you are at risk, talk to your doctor about tests.
Because when it comes to colon cancer, prevention is truly better than cure.
