Findings suggest high reliance on self-medication and delayed medical consultation, raising concerns over late diagnosis of serious gastrointestinal disease | Photo credit: Getty Images/iStockphoto
An analysis of the National Digestive Health and Lifestyle Survey has shown low awareness of colon and rectal cancer and widespread concern about digestive health among Bengaluruans.
The findings indicate a high reliance on self-medication and delayed medical consultation, raising concerns about late diagnosis of serious gastrointestinal diseases. March is recognized worldwide as Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month.
In Bengaluru, out of 937 respondents surveyed, 88% said they manage stomach problems like acidity, flatulence and indigestion through self-medication. About 80% reported frequent consumption of take-out or packaged food, while 61.4% reported irregular bowel movements.
The Bengaluru findings are part of a larger survey conducted in 14 Indian cities among 10,198 individuals aged 25 to 65. A study supported by Merck Specialties Pvt. Ltd., a pharmaceutical company, pointed to growing concerns about digestive health and low awareness of colon and rectal cancer in urban India.
Awareness low
The survey found that awareness levels remain low, with more than 80% of respondents unable to recognize blood in the stool as a warning sign of colorectal cancer. The majority – 85.5% – said they would opt for over-the-counter medication or lifestyle changes if bowel habits changed for a few weeks, while only 14.5% would consult a doctor.
Digestive symptoms were widely reported, with nearly 81% experiencing occasional feelings of incomplete bowel evacuation. Lifestyle risks were also evident, with only about 47% reporting regular exercise and 36% reporting tobacco use.
The survey also points to reluctance to seek early care. While 33% cited lack of time as a barrier, fear and embarrassment together accounted for about 50% of responses. In particular, 26% said they would consider self-medication even in the case of blood in the stool.
Family history
While 77.8% were unaware that serious gastrointestinal diseases can develop without pain, a family history of gastrointestinal diseases, including bowel cancer and inflammatory diseases, was reported by 23.5% of respondents, although hereditary risks remain underrecognized.
Suresh Babu MC, Director and Principal Consultant, Medical Oncology, Krishna Institute of Medical Sciences, said colorectal cancer often starts as polyps in the colon or rectum, which can become cancerous if left untreated. He emphasized that symptoms such as persistent changes in bowel movements, blood in the stool, abdominal discomfort, fatigue and unexplained weight loss should not be ignored and that screening with colonoscopy allows for early detection.
Mansi Khanderia, senior consultant in medical oncology, Sparsh Hospital, said the findings reflected a pattern of delayed medical consultations in the city. She noted that frequent consumption of packaged and take-out foods, along with a sedentary lifestyle, increases the health risks of the digestive tract, and emphasized the importance of early medical examination.
Published – 31 March 2026 21:50 IST
