City hosp launches ‘Colofit' to check colorectal cancer
Lucknow: Concerned over the rising incidence of colorectal cancer (CRC) in India, city-based Apollomedics Hospital launched a comprehensive screening initiative called 'Colofit'.
"The aim is to ensure early detection and prevention of this cancer, making treatment more accessible, reducing costs and overcoming the challenge of late diagnosis. Currently, due to delayed identification, treatment becomes more difficult and adds pressure to healthcare systems," said Dr Mayank Somani, MD and CEO.To note, CRC cases in India appear in over seven men and five women per one lakh population, but the sheer size of India's population translates into a substantial number of cases. Also, the five-year survival rate for this cancer in India is less than 40%—among the lowest globally.Dr Somani said that under the Colofit programme, they would extend the Fecal Immunochemical Test (FIT) for screening. "This easy, non-invasive and highly effective diagnostic tool can detect hidden blood in the stool, a possible early sign of disease. The advantage of FIT is that it works with just one sample, offers higher accuracy, and does not require any dietary restrictions, ensuring patient comfort and convenience," he explained.Experts stress that colorectal cancer is no longer confined to the elderly—it is increasingly affecting younger individuals too. Yet, most patients are diagnosed at an advanced stage—around 50% are detected late, and over 20% already show spread to other organs. This makes early screening and raising awareness absolutely vital.The
symptoms of colorectal cancer
should not be ignored. These include persistent changes in bowel habits (such as chronic diarrhoea or constipation), blood in stool, unexplained weight loss, and ongoing abdominal pain or discomfort. Risk factors include a low-fibre diet, physical inactivity, obesity, a family history of the disease, and certain genetic predispositions.
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Hindustan Times
a day ago
- Hindustan Times
Colorectal cancer: Why more people under 50 are at risk
Damien Scogin learned that colorectal cancer (CRC) can develop in younger and healthy people when his close friend passed from the disease after she was diagnosed in her late 30s. His friend urged him and others to get colorectal screenings and convinced him to get a colonoscopy in his mid-40s after he experienced mild symptoms that were initially attributed to other conditions. No one is ever prepared to learn they have cancer. Damien says, 'I'm a huge outdoor sports enthusiast. I've always stayed very fit and eat a low-risk diet that is more or less vegetarian.' When the colonoscopy revealed he had advanced colon cancer, 'it was like a hammer hit me in the skull,' he says. Damien is part of a disturbing trend: A persistent rise over the last several years of people under 50 developing cancer in the colon or rectum. Research shows the number of cases is growing in people as young as their 20s and 30s — and the death rate from colorectal cancer for people ages 20 to 54 rose between 2004 and 2014 after previously declining. Because younger patients present with symptoms, early onset CRC is often diagnosed at advanced stages with a poor prognosis. Young people must understand the factors behind this shift and take preventive measures. CRC is a collective term to describe cancers that affect the colon (the large intestine), and rectum (the last part of the large intestine, before the anus). This cancer typically takes years to grow and often begins as a small growth (polyp) on the lining of the organ. While it is usually contained within the intestine, it may spread to other organs, such as the liver and lungs without timely intervention. The most common symptoms of early onset CRC blood in stools, abdominal pain or cramps, and, change in bathroom habits (constipation, diarrhoea, or narrow stools that may persist for several weeks). Other symptoms include constant urge to defecate, anaemia, losing weight without trying and weakness or fatigue with no apparent reasons. It's important to note that most younger people with these symptoms will not have cancer, but it is imperative to get evaluated with these symptoms as the earlier the cancer is found, the more potentially treatable it is. Usually, CRC affects individuals ≥50 years of age. However, over the past three decades, the incidence among younger people (<50 years) has increased. Between 1990 and 2021, the prevalence of early onset CRC increased from 29.65 to 38.86 per 100,000. The reasons for the increase remain unclear but some potential risks include: While we still don't know the exact cause of young onset CRC, it is important to recognise the symptoms and be evaluated with any persistent symptoms. Everyone should start colorectal screening at age 45. Those with a family history start earlier so it is important to know if anyone in your family has CRC. Being diagnosed with CRC at a young age is often a nasty shock, especially for those who maintain a healthy lifestyle. However, undergoing appropriate screenings can help with colorectal cancer prevention and consulting a health care professional with persistent symptoms promptly can help find the cancer at an earlier stage. This article is authored by Dr Robin Mendelsohn, MD, gastroenterologist, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center.
Time of India
23-05-2025
- Time of India
What types of cancer are linked to ulcerative colitis, condition the late British boxer Georgia O'Connor battled?
The life of Georgia O'Connor, a rising British professional boxer, was tragically cut short at just 25 after being diagnosed with cancer a few months ago. O'Connor believed the cancer developed due to her two high-risk conditions: ulcerative colitis and primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC). Tired of too many ads? go ad free now While she never publicly disclosed the exact type of cancer, O'Connor spoke openly about her frustration with delayed medical attention and the pain she endured. She shared her agony on social media in January. "For 17 weeks since the start of October, I've been in constant pain, going back and forth between Durham and Newcastle RVI A&E knowing deep down something was seriously wrong,' O'Connor wrote. "I said from the start I felt it was cancer. I KNEW the risks. I have colitis and PSC, two diseases that dramatically increase the chances of getting it. I KNOW how high my risk is and they do too. They always did." O'Connor said her concerns weren't taken seriously due to which her cancer spread. "Not one doctor did the scans or blood tests I begged for whilst crying on the floor in agony. Instead, they dismissed me. They gaslit me, told me it was nothing, made me feel like I was overreacting," she wrote. "They refused to scan me. They refused to investigate. They REFUSED to listen." As tributes pour in for the young athlete one may wonder about the types of cancer that can be caused due to the conditions she suffered. Here's what others facing similar diagnoses should know. Ulcerative colitis and PSC can cause this type of cancer "She was suffering from Ulcerative colitis and primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC). Both these two diseases together dramatically increase the chances of getting cancer," Dr Vishal Khurana, Director Gastroenterology, Metro Hospital, Faridabad told TOI Lifestyle . Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Patients with both ulcerative colitis (UC) and primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) are at a significantly increased risk of developing colorectal cancer (CRC) compared to those with UC alone, according to the expert. This increased risk is attributed to factors such as chronic inflammation and potentially higher levels of carcinogenic bile acids in the colon. Cancers linked to Ulcerative colitis "Ulcerative colitis is a type of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) that causes inflammation in the digestive tract. It is usually only in the innermost lining of the large intestine (colon) and rectum. Having ulcerative colitis puts a patient at increased risk of developing colon cancer," says Dr Khurana. Elaborating on the link between ulcerative colitis and cancer, Dr Nithin SG told TOI Lifestyle that chronic inflammatory bowel disease is associated with multiple systemic diseases including autoimmune diseases and cancer. The longstanding inflammation in the colon and the body could increase cancer risk. "One of the most common cancers associated with ulcerative colitis is colorectal cancer. The risk increases with the duration and extension of colitis. Those patients who have ulcerative colitis for 8-10 years are at a greater risk of colorectal cancer," says Dr Nithin SG, Consultant, Medical Oncology, Fortis Hospital Vasant Kunj. It may also cause colonic dysplasia which refers to abnormal cell growth in the colon's lining, specifically the epithelial tissue. It's a precancerous condition, meaning it increases the risk of developing colon cancer, but it's not cancer itself. Dr Nithin says the inflammatory condition in rare cases can also increase the risk of small bowel cancer, where the cancer arises from the small intestine. Other cancers linked to colitis are bile duct cancer and a rare chance of lymphoma, a type of blood cancer, according to the expert. Timely screening and treatment could help the patients beat the cancer. The treatment also includes folic acid supplementation and dietary modifications. Dr Nithin advises that patients could undergo removal of the colon before any cancer develops in case precancerous lesions are detected.
Time of India
14-05-2025
- Time of India
City hosp launches ‘Colofit' to check colorectal cancer
Lucknow: Concerned over the rising incidence of colorectal cancer (CRC) in India, city-based Apollomedics Hospital launched a comprehensive screening initiative called 'Colofit'. "The aim is to ensure early detection and prevention of this cancer, making treatment more accessible, reducing costs and overcoming the challenge of late diagnosis. Currently, due to delayed identification, treatment becomes more difficult and adds pressure to healthcare systems," said Dr Mayank Somani, MD and note, CRC cases in India appear in over seven men and five women per one lakh population, but the sheer size of India's population translates into a substantial number of cases. Also, the five-year survival rate for this cancer in India is less than 40%—among the lowest Somani said that under the Colofit programme, they would extend the Fecal Immunochemical Test (FIT) for screening. "This easy, non-invasive and highly effective diagnostic tool can detect hidden blood in the stool, a possible early sign of disease. The advantage of FIT is that it works with just one sample, offers higher accuracy, and does not require any dietary restrictions, ensuring patient comfort and convenience," he stress that colorectal cancer is no longer confined to the elderly—it is increasingly affecting younger individuals too. Yet, most patients are diagnosed at an advanced stage—around 50% are detected late, and over 20% already show spread to other organs. This makes early screening and raising awareness absolutely symptoms of colorectal cancer should not be ignored. These include persistent changes in bowel habits (such as chronic diarrhoea or constipation), blood in stool, unexplained weight loss, and ongoing abdominal pain or discomfort. Risk factors include a low-fibre diet, physical inactivity, obesity, a family history of the disease, and certain genetic predispositions.
