2 months ago
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A caller survey from the State-run Kidwai Memorial Institute of Oncology (KMIO) successful Bengaluru has recovered that a bulk of colorectal crab patients successful India are diagnosed lone aft the illness has progressed to precocious stages, underscoring the request for wider screening and greater nationalist awareness.
The study, led by Pavan Sugoor from the institute’s Department of Surgical Oncology, analysed 831 colorectal crab patients treated astatine the infirmary betwixt January 2021 and February 2025.
Key findings from Kidwai study
Patients analysed: 831
Stage astatine diagnosis : Stage III: 58%; Stage IV: 25.5% Warning signs: Persistent abdominal pain, Changes successful bowel habits, Blood successful stool, Unexplained value loss, Prolonged fatigue
The findings amusement that 58% of patients were diagnosed successful Stage III, portion 25.5% had already reached Stage IV by the clip they sought treatment. The mean property of patients was 52.7 years, and astir 30% were younger than 45, indicating a concerning emergence successful early-onset colorectal crab successful India.
Nationwide trend
Dr. Sugoor said the information reflects a increasing inclination observed by clinicians crossed the country. “The survey shows that a ample proportionality of colorectal crab patients successful India contiguous to hospitals astatine an precocious signifier of the disease. Delayed diagnosis importantly affects attraction outcomes and highlights the request for improved screening and awareness,” helium said.
Published successful the South Asian Journal of Cancer connected February 26, 2026, the study, titled ‘Clinicopathological and Demographic Spectrum of Colorectal Cancer’, besides identified chiseled patterns among Indian patients.
Rectal cancers accounted for 64% of cases, portion 36% originated successful the colon. The astir communal tumour benignant was moderately differentiated adenocarcinoma, comprising astir 78.6% of cases.
The researchers besides observed higher proportions of assertive tumour sub-types, including mucinous cancers (11.4%) and signet-ring compartment cancers (7.6%), some associated with poorer outcomes.
“These assertive histological sub-types look much often successful our diligent colonisation than successful galore higher-income countries, which whitethorn partially subordinate to the younger property astatine which patients are processing colorectal cancer,” Dr. Sugoor explained.
Women diagnosed astatine much precocious stages
The survey besides noted gender-related differences. Women were much apt to beryllium diagnosed astatine a higher tumour stage, and illiteracy rates were higher among pistillate patients — factors that whitethorn lend to hold successful seeking aesculapian care.
Globally, colorectal crab is the 3rd astir communal cancer, accounting for astir 10% of the wide crab burden. Although historically little communal successful India than successful Western countries, doctors accidental incidence patterns are gradually changing.
Global data
A caller State of Screening Study 2026 by the Colorectal Cancer Alliance recovered that colorectal crab is present the starring origin of cancer-related deaths among adults nether 50 successful the United States. The study besides highlighted important consciousness gaps: much than fractional of adults bash not cognize the illness is mostly preventable, and galore are unaware that screening tests tin adjacent beryllium done astatine home, Dr. Sugoor said.
Another concerning uncovering is that 45% of adults nether 45 reported their symptoms were dismissed by a doc — a trend, doctors say, is progressively being observed successful India arsenic well.
Lifestyle factors and screening gaps
Experts property the emergence successful cases partially to changing lifestyles, including sedentary habits, dietary shifts, rising obesity and diabetes, arsenic good arsenic constricted consciousness of aboriginal symptoms and screening.
The survey besides pointed to a large spread successful preventive care. In India, less than 10% of radical eligible for colorectal crab screening really acquisition testing, allowing galore cancers to stay undetected until they are advanced.
With March observed globally arsenic Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, doctors are urging radical not to disregard informing signs specified arsenic persistent abdominal pain, changes successful bowel habits, humor successful the stool, unexplained value nonaccomplishment oregon prolonged fatigue. Early detection, they stressed, remains the astir effectual mode to forestall deaths.
