Colon, rectum cancer No 1 killer in Goa

Colon, rectum cancer No 1 killer in Goa
TNN

PANAJI: Modern lifestyle changes, genetic alterations added with changing dietary habits are increasing the risk of cancer of the large intestine and rectum among urbanized Indians.

"People in India develop cancer of the large intestine or rectum 10 years earlier than people in Europe or USA. In other words, if a majority of the people in the USA or Europe are at a risk of developing cancer of the large intestine or rectum at the age of 60, then in India, they are at risk by the age of 50", said Dr Shailesh Shrikhande, gastrointestinal and hepato-pancreatic biliary surgeon at Tata memorial hospital, Mumbai.

Dr Shrikande was in Goa to attend the national congress of the Asian Federation of Coloproctology and Association of Colon and Rectal Surgeons from September 25 to 27.

Even in Goa, cancer of the colon and rectum is considered to be the number one killer among cancers. "The reason for this is the eating habits of Goans. Just like Westerners, our diet is rich in red meat, cheese, butter etc," said Dr Shekhar Salkar, oncology surgeon in Goa.

Colorectal surgery deals with simple diseases like piles, fissure, fistula-in-ano to complex ones like constipation, incontinence, diverticular disease and the dreaded cancer of the colon, rectum and anus. Even as the doctors listed advances in the field, they warned people to beware of quacks who use unscientific methods while claiming to treat these ailments without surgery.

"Man suffers from piles once in his lifetime. But 70% of piles can be treated with medicine and only 30% require surgery. The common man needs to beware of quacks and come out of the mindset that these diseases can't be treated or that their treatment is painful," said surgeon Dr S Chivate.

25 September 2009, The Times of India, Goa edition