Never disregard lingering symptoms; life can be saved by early detection
23 August 2025, New Delhi
For a long time, bowel cancer was largely seen as a disease of older adults, but recent trends show a troubling rise in cases among people under 50. According to Dr. Richu Sharma, consultant medical oncologist at Ujala Cygnus Group of Hospitals, changing diets, reduced physical activity, and lack of awareness about early symptoms are major reasons behind this shift. As a result, younger patients are often diagnosed at later stages, making treatment more challenging.
Dr. Sharma highlighted several contributing factors, including dietary changes marked by high consumption of fast food, sugary drinks, and ultra-processed foods with low fiber content, which disrupt gut health and trigger inflammation. Rising obesity and sedentary lifestyles further increase chronic inflammation, while imbalances in the gut microbiome due to poor diet, antibiotics, or environmental factors may also play a role. Exposure to pollutants, chemicals, and microplastics can interfere with hormones and metabolism, potentially raising cancer risk. In addition, genetic predispositions such as family history, Lynch syndrome, or familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) can significantly elevate the likelihood of early-onset colorectal cancer, particularly in the absence of timely screening.
Some of the early warning signs to look out for include blood in the stool or rectal bleeding, persistent changes in bowel habits, unexplained weight loss, fatigue, anemia, and abdominal pain or discomfort. While not all cases can be prevented, Dr. Sharma emphasized that lifestyle choices can reduce risk. Eating a fiber-rich diet with plenty of fruits and vegetables while limiting red and processed meat, avoiding smoking and excessive alcohol consumption, maintaining a healthy weight, and staying physically active are important preventive measures.
She further advised individuals to understand their family history, seek medical advice when concerned, and never ignore persistent symptoms. Life-saving early detection can be achieved with prompt medical assessment.
