A new study by the state-run Kidwai Memorial Institute of Bengaluru (KMIO) has found that most colorectal cancer patients in India are diagnosed only after the disease has progressed to advanced stages, underscoring the need for wider screening and greater public awareness.
The study, led by Pavan Sugoor of the institute’s department of surgical oncology, analyzed 831 colorectal cancer patients treated at the hospital from January 2021 to February 2025.
Key findings from the Kidwai study
Patients analyzed: 831
Stage at diagnosis: Stage III: 58%; Stage IV: 25.5% Warning signs: Persistent abdominal pain, Changes in bowel movements, Blood in stools, Unexplained weight loss, Prolonged fatigue
The findings show that 58% of patients were diagnosed at stage III, while 25.5% had already reached stage IV by the time they sought treatment. The mean age of the patients was 52.7 years and almost 30% were below 45 years of age, indicating an alarming increase in the early incidence of colorectal cancer in India.
Nationwide trend
Dr. Sugoor said the data reflects a growing trend observed by clinicians across the country. “The study shows that a large proportion of colorectal cancer patients in India present to hospitals at an advanced stage of the disease. Delayed diagnosis significantly affects treatment outcomes and highlights the need for better screening and awareness,” he said.
The study, which was published in the South Asian Journal of Cancer on February 26, 2026, titled “Clinicopathological and demographic spectrum of colorectal cancer”, also identified different patterns among Indian patients.
Rectal cancers accounted for 64% of cases, while 36% originated in the colon. The most common type of tumor was moderately differentiated adenocarcinoma, which comprised almost 78.6% of cases.
The researchers also observed higher proportions of aggressive tumor subtypes, including mucinous cancers (11.4%) and signet-ring cell cancers (7.6%), both of which were associated with poorer outcomes.
“These aggressive histologic subtypes appear more frequently in our patient population than in many higher-income countries, which may be partially related to the younger age at which patients develop colorectal cancer,” explained Dr. Sugoor.
Women diagnosed in more advanced stages
The study also noted gender-related differences. Women were more likely to be diagnosed with a higher-stage tumor, and illiteracy rates were higher among female patients—factors that may contribute to delays in seeking medical care.
Worldwide, colorectal cancer is the third most common malignancy and represents almost 10% of the total cancer burden. Although historically less common in India than in Western countries, doctors say incidence patterns are gradually changing.
Global data
The recent State of Screening Study 2026 by the Colorectal Cancer Alliance found that colorectal cancer is now the leading cause of cancer-related death in adults under 50 in the United States. The report also highlighted significant gaps in awareness: more than half of adults don’t know that the disease is largely preventable, and many don’t realize that screening tests can even be done at home, said Dr. Sugoor.
Another worrying finding is that 45% of adults under 45 said their symptoms had been dismissed by a doctor – a trend doctors say is increasingly being seen in India as well.
Lifestyle factors and screening gaps
Experts attribute the rise in cases in part to changing lifestyles, including sedentary habits, dietary changes, rising obesity and diabetes, as well as limited awareness of early signs and screening.
The study also pointed to a large gap in preventive care. In India, less than 10% of people eligible for colorectal cancer screening actually get tested, allowing many cancers to go undetected until they are advanced.
As March is recognized as colorectal cancer awareness month worldwide, doctors are urging people not to ignore warning signs such as persistent abdominal pain, changes in bowel movements, blood in the stool, unexplained weight loss or prolonged fatigue. Early detection, they emphasized, remains the most effective way to prevent death.
Published – March 8, 2026 06:22 IST
