South Korean docs to help fight rise in colon cancer Sudden rise among India’s young worrisome

South Korean docs to help fight rise in colon cancer

Sudden rise among India’s young worrisome

Doctors surprised by the sudden increase in cases of colon cancer in the country, are seeking to learn how to deal with it better from the experience of their South Korean counterparts. “Colon cancer (also known as colorectal cancer) is rapidly increasing in India, particularly in Mumbai. There are an estimated 30,000 cases annually,” said Dr Anil Herror, oncologist at Fortis hospital. “We have invited a team of doctors from South Korea to discuss this problem and learn about the preventive measures.” The consultation is scheduled for Sunday. Oral cancer still tops the number of cancer cases hospitals are dealing with today. But there has been a perceptible rise in the number of cases of colon cancer recently, with the problem particularly affecting young people. This is attributed to a change in dietary habits, something South Korea has also suffered over the past few years. “Colon cancer is common in western countries. There has been a steady rise in India too. The major reason for young people falling victim is the change in dietary habits,” said Dr Geeta Ghar, oncologist at Sion hospital. “High-fibre meals are absent these days.” Dr Ghag’s department has treated people just in their 20s and 30s for colon cancer. Colon cancer, also called bowel cancer, is from uncontrolled cell growth in the colon or rectum (parts of the large intestine), or in the appendix. More than half of the gastro-intestinal malignancy cases at Sion hospital are colon cancer, and the rest cancer of the stomach or oesophagus. Dr Herror said dietary habits is the principle cause of colon cancer and only a small percentage are associated with genetic disorders. “People consuming more fast food and non-vegetarian food, but less vegetables and fruits, are more prone to colon cancer,” he said. These patients suffer much trauma and require a lot of family support. “They find it difficult to pass motions and have to be helped to collect it in a bag, through an opening in the stomach. The bag has to be changed regularly,” Dr Herror explained. Colon cancer is the third most commonly detected cancer in the world and claims an estimated 5,29,000 lives a year.