World Digestive Health Day 2022: Young men more prone to colon cancer; keep gut healthy, say experts
https://www.news9live.com/health/world-digestive-health-day-2022-young-men-more-prone-to-colon-cancer-keep-gut-healthy-say-experts-173130
Colorectal cancer is on the rise especially among young Asian males with unhealthy lifestyle patterns one of the key reasons for its occurrence. Early detection via regular screening for men is key to for the patient to return to normal life: Dr Venkatesh Munikrishnan.
Keeping the gut healthy can prevent many cancers including colon cancer: Dr Maneesh Paliwal.
Colorectal cancer, also
known as colon cancer is common cancer globally. But it has a low reported incidence
in India with GLOBOCAN 2018 ranking colon cancer 13th in terms of incidence and
mortality with 27,605 new cases and 19,548 deaths annually. Since 2018, 27,605
new cases have been registered across India and the total number of patients
living with the disease in India is estimated to be around 53,700. Colorectal
cancer is on the rise especially among young Asian males with unhealthy
lifestyle patterns one of the key reasons for its occurrence.
On World Digestive Health Day 2022, with the theme: Colorectal Cancer
Prevention: Getting Back on Track, experts speak with News9 on how keeping the
gut healthy and early detection is key to cure.
Dr Maneesh Paliwal, senior consultant, Gastroenterology, PSRI Hospital, New Delhi tells you that GI is one of the largest tracts in the body with different parts. "The gut function is very complicated. It is common knowledge that one can get several diseases if we don't eat healthy which can lead to an imbalance in the gut. Our immunity is closely modulated by the intestines. Hundreds of illnesses including obesity, diabetes, and various kinds of cancers including colon cancer, our brain health is linked to the chemicals and the interaction that takes place in the gut. We have trillions of microbes; some good some bad. It is the good microbes that control the bad. When the balance of various enzymes and hormones is good, we can summarise that our gut is healthy," Paliwal explains.
Problems associated with an unhealthy gut
Science, Paliwal said, has proven that several diseases like dementia, Alzheimer's, depression, and several cardio-vascular problems are linked to an unhealthy gut. "An unhealthy gut will only complicate these problems. There is a direct link between diabetes and the GI tract. There are several intestinal diseases like inflammatory bowel disease that have a clear link with the gut. Gut dysbiosis can lead to many illnesses including obesity," Paliwal says.
How to keep gut healthy
Dr Manish Kak, consultant, Gastroenterology advises that people eat a healthy and balanced diet. "Eating sensibly is the way ahead. Eat fresh fruits, whole grains and leafy vegetables. More important, avoid food items that don't suit the body. Diet affects different people differently. Some people have milk intolerance. We advise people to maintain a food chart and see what suits them and what doesn't and alter their eating habits accordingly. Do regular exercise," Kak said.
However, the rate of colorectal cancer has been increasing among young adults in their 20s to 40s over the last two decades. According to Dr Venkatesh Munikrishnan, consultant Colorectal & Robotic Surgeon, if colorectal cancer is identified in the early stages it can be completely cured and helps patients lead a normal life.
"This
is because conventional surgery for colorectal cancer left patients with a
colostomy - a surgically created opening in the body that routes bowel waste
away into an external colostomy bag. But with the latest advancement in science
and technology it is now possible to perform the complex surgery and remove
cancer and reconstruct the colon to rectal/anal connection, thus avoiding a
permanent colostomy. This means that the patient can get back to leading a
normal life," Dr Munikrishnan said.