Chennai: The Institute of Colorectal Surgery at Apollo Hospitals here is holding a three-day international colorectal symposium beginning on Friday with specialists from across the globe slated to share expertise in the diagnosis and treatment of colorectal cancer. Colon cancer is the third most common cancer in the world, accounting for nearly 6.94 lakh deaths per year worldwide.Out of 1.4 million new cases diagnosed on average every year, one in three cases of colorectal cancers are found to be localised in the rectum, so this symposium at the Apollo, dealing with multiple segments of the diagnosis and treatment of the disease, is considered important by the medical fraternity.
Apollo vice-chairperson Preetha Reddy told reporters it was important to spread awareness about colorectal cancer as the disease is on the rise in India due to sedentary lifestyle and associated dietary habits resulting in the ailment striking people even at an early age. “Colon cancer has a strong genetic predisposition, hence, preventive care is recommended to identify the threat much earlier and increase the scope of getting it treated successfully”, she said.
Dr. Venkatesh Munikrishnan, Colorectal & Gastrointestinal Surgeon, Apollo Hospitals, said over 450 colorectal procedures are done every year and stressed that these cancers “are completely curable on early detection, with improved techniques and new surgical approaches”.
Changing to healthy food habits with high fiber and regular exercise might help in bringing down the occurrence, he added.
