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People insisting doctors to inject medicine on biceps and not in the butt region in OPDs or hospitals are known to all, aren't they? For many, they can be identified within.

Indians are world famous for being hesitant hence ignorant of their health-related issues. Colorectal cancer is no exception. Term 'Colorectal' is nothing but a combined term for Colon i.e. large intestine & rectum i.e bowel. According to the report of Globocan 2018, close to 52000 new cases of Colorectal cancer is found in India every year.

Most of these cases present to doctor in relatively late stages because of which, treatment outcomes are often compromised. It is important that we establish a relation between hesitant Indians and late detection of Colorectal cancer. In the hesitation of reporting issues of excretory organs to doctors, people hide their early symptoms of Colorectal cancer. Sometimes, they assume & relate warning signs to relatively general issues like constipation, spicy intake of food etc. without any confirmatory examination.

No wonder why 'Polyps' turn into deadly monsters. Polyps are nothing but small outgrowths (Tumors) inside colon or rectum that develop out of unhealthy diet habits. Some of these polyps which are known as 'Adenomatous polyps' which can be identified as pre-cancerous. Other types of polyps, called Inflammatory polyps may not always cause cancer but they are equally harmful in nature.

Symptoms of Colorectal cancer include:

- Abnormal Changes in bowel habits

- Persistent Diarrhea & Constipation

- A feeling that the bowel does not empty properly after a bowel movement

- Blood in feces that makes stools look black

- Bright red blood coming from the rectum

- Pain and bloating in the abdomen

- A feeling of fullness in the abdomen, even after not eating for a while.

- Fatigue or tiredness

- Unexplained weight loss

- A lump in the abdomen or the back passage felt by your doctor

- Unexplained iron deficiency in men, or in women after menopause

We at Mumbai Oncocare Center recommend that most of these symptoms may also indicate other possible medical conditions.

It is important to see a doctor if symptoms persist for 4 weeks or more.

Issues in public interest by Dr. Ashish Joshi and Mumbai Oncocare Center on occasion of Colon Cancer Awareness Month, March 2019.

Dr. Ashish Joshi

M.B.B.S, M.D [MEDICINE], D.M ( MEDICAL ONCOLOGY)

Medical and Pediatric Hemato-Oncologist

Mumbai Oncocare Center