Why Does This Cancer Develop? The Indian Lifestyle Story
Inside the large intestine, small growths called polyps can slowly transform into cancer over years. What speeds this process in India?
•Diets high in rice, low in greens and vegetables
•Eating fewer home-cooked, fibre-rich foods
•Increased consumption of processed or fried foods
•Sedentary lifestyle, long hours sitting
•Obesity, diabetes, thyroid issues
•Smoking and alcohol
•Family history
•Inflammatory bowel diseases (growing in metros)
In short: our intestine needs fibre, movement, hydration, and regular habits — things modern life often disrupts.
How People Usually Present in India
Many patients first assume their symptoms are due to “gas,” “piles,” or “indigestion.”
Common signs include:
•Blood in stool (often misattributed to piles)
•Change in bowel habits
•Persistent constipation or loose motions
•Weakness and anaemia
•Stomach pain
•Feeling that the bowel isn’t fully emptied
Delayed evaluation is the biggest barrier — because people keep trying home remedies first.
How Doctors Confirm the Diagnosis
Evaluation is straightforward.
Tests commonly done:
•Colonoscopy – the gold standard; allows doctors to see the inside and take biopsy
•Biopsy – confirms cancer
•CT scan / MRI – helps understand the spread
•CEA blood test
•PET-CT – only when needed
Across India, both government and private centres offer high-quality and affordable colorectal cancer diagnostic facilities.
Staging – Understanding “How Far Has It Spread?”
Staging is like assessing how large a fire is:
•Stage I–II: Localised, still within the bowel
•Stage III: Spread to nearby lymph nodes
•Stage IV: Spread to liver, lungs, or other organs
This guides the treatment plan — early stages need surgery alone, while advanced stages need combined treatments.
Treatment Journey: Colon Cancer
For colon cancer, surgery is the main treatment — and in many cases, is completely curative.
After surgery:
Depending on the stage and lymph node involvement, may be recommended for 3–6 months. Most patients resume normal diet and routine within weeks.
Treatment Journey: Rectal Cancer
Rectal cancer requires a slightly different approach due to its location.
Common treatment sequence in India:
1.Chemoradiation to shrink the tumour
2.Surgery to remove it completely
3.Additional chemotherapy if required
With modern techniques, surgeons aim to preserve anal sphincter function whenever possible.
Robotic Surgery – A Game Changer for Colorectal Cancer
Robotic surgery is one of the most significant advancements in colorectal cancer care. Many patients imagine “a robot operating,” but in reality:
The surgeon controls every movement.
The robot simply enhances the surgeon’s hands with precision and vision.
Why robotic surgery stands out
•Greater precision in deep, narrow spaces
Especially useful for rectal cancer where the pelvis is tight.
•3D magnified vision
Allows delicate dissection and better nerve preservation.
•Smaller cuts, less pain
Faster recovery and quicker return to daily life.
•Better protection of urinary, sexual & bowel functions
Particularly important for younger patients.
Availability
Robotic colorectal surgery is now widely available across major Indian cities and continues to expand rapidly. For rectal cancer, it is often considered the most precise surgical option.
Chemotherapy & Targeted Therapy – Simple Explanation
Not all patients need chemotherapy — only those with deeper tumours or lymph node involvement.
Common drugs used in India:
•5-FU
•Capecitabine tablets
•Oxaliplatin
Targeted therapies
Useful in advanced or selected cases:
•Bevacizumab
•Cetuximab (for RAS wild-type tumours)
Side effects are manageable with modern supportive medicines.
Radiotherapy – Mostly for Rectal Cancer
Radiotherapy plays a key role in treating rectal cancer.
Two approaches:
•Short-course (1 week)
•Long-course (5 weeks)
Both shrink the tumour and improve the chances of complete removal during surgery.
Ostomies – Honest, Practical & Reassuring Guidance
A stoma is a small opening made on the abdomen to divert stool into a bag. It sounds scary at first — especially in Indian households — but reality is very different.
Why is a stoma created?
•To protect a new bowel join after surgery
•When the cancer is very low in the rectum
•After radiation
•When diversion helps healing
Types
•Ileostomy – liquid stools
•Colostomy – more solid stools
Myths vs Reality
•MYTH: “Life stops with a stoma.”
REALITY: People walk, travel, work, and even exercise normally.
•MYTH: “It will smell or leak.”
REALITY: Modern bags are odour-proof, leak-proof, and flat under clothes.
•MYTH: “It’s very hard to manage.”
REALITY: Most patients learn care routines in 2–3 days.
Stoma care in India
Across India, trained stoma therapists help patients with:
•Bag fitting
•Skin care
•Diet
•Returning to normal routine
Temporary stomas
Often reversed after 8–12 weeks, once healing is complete.
Permanent stomas
Still allow a full, active, dignified life — a fact many families only realize after seeing how well patients adapt.
Life After Treatment – A New Beginning
Recovery improves steadily over weeks to months. Most patients:
•Regain normal diet
•Resume daily routines
•Return to work
•Build strength through walking or yoga
•Improve digestive health with simple lifestyle changes
Emotional support from family is one of the strongest healing factors in Indian households.
Diet & Lifestyle – What Works Best for the Indian Gut
•Eat more fibre (greens, vegetables, salads, fruits)
•Include millets, red rice, whole wheat
•Drink plenty of water
•Include curd/buttermilk regularly
•Reduce red meat and fried foods
•Limit packaged snacks and sugary items
•Walk 30–45 minutes daily
A healthier intestine prevents recurrence and improves well-being.
Follow-Up Plan – Staying Ahead
Follow-up ensures early detection of recurrence:
•Every 3–6 months for 2 years
•Every 6 months until 5 years
•Colonoscopy at 1 year, then every 3–5 years
•CEA levels periodically
•CT scans as required
Following this schedule greatly improves outcomes.
Preventing Colorectal Cancer – What Every Indian Family Should Know
You can significantly reduce risk by:
•Eating fibre-rich South Indian meals
•Staying active
•Avoiding smoking and alcohol
•Maintaining healthy weight
•Getting screened after 45
•Not ignoring rectal bleeding
•Treating constipation early
Prevention is absolutely possible.
