India’s Digestive Health Crisis Highlights Alarming Colorectal Cancer Warning Gaps: Low Awareness, Rising Risks
Concerns about digestive health are increasing across India as a result of rapid lifestyles, unhealthy diets, and lack of movement. However, very little is known about serious gastrointestinal diseases such as colorectal cancer. As part of this investigation into the way people view their digestive symptoms and the way they seek medical attention, Merck Specialities Pvt Ltd funded a National Lifestyle and Digestive Health Awareness Survey.
The survey was based upon 14 major cities in India and interviewed 10,198 individuals aged between 25-65. It produced some alarming results. Of those surveyed; over 80% of respondents prefer to self-medicate when they have problems with digestion, such as acid reflux, indigestion or constipation. Additionally; over 65% said they did not have regular bowel movements; over 50% indicated that they eat outside or consume packaged meals on a regular basis and close to 55% do not get regular exercise. Furthermore; 39.9% of respondents used tobacco which is known to be a significant cause of gastrointestinal disorders.
Equally concerning is that of the individuals surveyed, over 80% did not know that blood in the stool is a potential early indicator of a colorectal cancer, and approximately 40% of younger individuals indicated that they ignored their digestive symptoms by attributing them to poor lifestyle choices.
In Delhi where 679 people were surveyed, the level of awareness and the way in which people sought medical advice was particularly concerning. Over 80% of respondents did not recognise blood in the stool as a symptom of concern; and nearly 90% of individuals chose to use home remedies or over-the-counter medications, as opposed to consulting with their doctor for ongoing bowel problems. Only 10.5% of respondents reported that they would seek medical assistance.
Digestive problems were prevalent: more than 65% of individuals reported having irregular bowel habits and more than 80% felt they had not completely emptied their bowels. Behavior risk factors included the frequent consumption of outside food (86%) and very few (35.5%) exercising regularly. There was also a significant proportion (39.2%) who used tobacco products.
Barriers to using health care services included time constraints (35.4%), fear of being embarrassed (31.1%), and not enough information (17.9%). Approximately 80% did not know that some serious digestive diseases can also be present without any pain, thereby increasing the risk of being diagnosed at a later date.
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Many experts have stated that the majority of colorectal tumors develop from pre-cancerous growths (polyps). Colorectal cancer is a type of cancer that can be treated if detected early on, primarily through screening. Many symptoms are associated with changes in bowel habits, including blood in the stool, abdominal pain, fatigue, and weight loss without cause.
The study shows that if there is greater awareness of colorectal cancer as well as faster access to care, improved nutrition, regular exercise and routine screening; these factors could help lower the rate of increase in colorectal cancer rates in India.
