DTMT Network

Experts have said that sedentary lifestyle with its resultant obesity, increase in consumption of junk food, animal fat, red meat, alcohol intake and smoking have all contributed to this increase.

They pointed out that inflammatory bowel disease is also a leading cause of hospitalizations in India which also increases the individual risk of colorectal cancer.

The views were expressed during the CME program Compressive Updates in GI Oncology– I, Rectal Cancer at Indraprastha Apollo Hospital.

Senior experts from various fields closely involved in the management of rectal cancer  presented and discussed the latest treatment protocols for the management of rectal cancer.

Dr Deepak Govil, Senior Consultants, GI Surgery, Indraprastha Apollo Hospitals, , said,” Rectal cancers have increased significantly not only in India but globally. This can be attributed to both an increase in the overall population and increasing lifespan of the average individual. Sedentary lifestyle with its resultant obesity, increase in consumption of junk food, animal fat, red meat, alcohol intake and smoking have all contributed to this increase. Inflammatory bowel disease is also a leading cause of hospitalizations in India which also increases the individual risk of colorectal cancer.”

“It is estimated that in India the incidence is less as compared to western countries but it is increasing and we see younger patients with advanced colorectal cancer. The importance of the ‘Do Not Assume’ campaign, was highlighted, emphasizing the need for regular screening for rectal. the campaign, This campaign implies that one shouldn’t assume that just because they are young, or no one in their family has colorectal cancer, they are completely safe from the disease,” he added.

Dr Vivek Tandon, Senior Consultants, GI Surgery, Indraprastha Apollo Hospitals, said “Vigilance is the key and one should not neglect the common symptoms of colorectal cancer such as blood in stools, long term unexplained fall in haemoglobin, a change in the bowel habit and weight loss. While prevention is better than cure, a timely diagnosis of RECTAL CANCER allows for successful treatment using a combination of chemotherapy, radiation and surgery.”

“Surgical Procedures to manage rectal cancer are extremely complicated, require a high level of expertise. Tertiary care centres in both the private and public sector in India are successfully performing these procedures. For decades these surgeries were performed by the open technique requiring big incisions. These technically challenging surgical procedures are increasingly being performed using minimally invasive (key hole) technique using Robots i.e. ROBOTIC SURGERY,” he added.