Many colorectal cancer patients in India diagnosed at advanced stage, finds Kidwai study

A new study from the State-run Kidwai Memorial Institute of Oncology (KMIO) in Bengaluru has found that a majority of 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 from the institute’s Department of Surgical Oncology, analysed 831 colorectal cancer patients treated at the hospital between January 2021 and February 2025.

The findings show that 58% of patients were diagnosed in Stage III, while 25.5% had already reached Stage IV by the time they sought treatment. The average age of patients was 52.7 years, and nearly 30% were younger than 45, indicating a concerning rise in early-onset 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 improved screening and awareness,” he said.

Published in the South Asian Journal of Cancer on February 26, 2026, the study, titled ‘Clinicopathological and Demographic Spectrum of Colorectal Cancer’, also identified distinct patterns among Indian patients.

Rectal cancers accounted for 64% of cases, while 36% originated in the colon. The most common tumour type was moderately differentiated adenocarcinoma, comprising nearly 78.6% of cases.

The researchers also observed higher proportions of aggressive tumour sub-types, including mucinous cancers (11.4%) and signet-ring cell cancers (7.6%), both associated with poorer outcomes.

“These aggressive histological sub-types appear more frequently in our patient population than in many higher-income countries, which may partly relate to the younger age at which patients are developing colorectal cancer,” Dr. Sugoor explained.

Women diagnosed at more advanced stages

The study also noted gender-related differences. Women were more likely to be diagnosed at a higher tumour stage, and illiteracy rates were higher among female patients — factors that may contribute to delay in seeking medical care.

Globally, colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer, accounting for nearly 10% of the overall cancer burden. Although historically less common in India than in Western countries, doctors say incidence patterns are gradually changing.

Global data

A recent State of Screening Study 2026 by the Colorectal Cancer Alliance found that colorectal cancer is now the leading cause of cancer-related deaths among adults under 50 in the United States. The report also highlighted significant awareness gaps: more than half of adults do not know the disease is largely preventable, and many are unaware that screening tests can even be done at home, Dr. Sugoor said.

Another concerning finding is that 45% of adults under 45 reported their symptoms were dismissed by a physician — a trend, doctors say, is increasingly being observed in India as well.

Lifestyle factors and screening gaps

Experts attribute the rise in cases partly to changing lifestyles, including sedentary habits, dietary shifts, rising obesity and diabetes, as well as limited awareness of early symptoms and screening.

The study also pointed to a major gap in preventive care. In India, fewer than 10% of people eligible for colorectal cancer screening actually undergo testing, allowing many cancers to remain undetected until they are advanced.

With March observed globally as Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, doctors are urging people not to ignore warning signs such as persistent abdominal pain, changes in bowel habits, blood in the stool, unexplained weight loss or prolonged fatigue. Early detection, they stressed, remains the most effective way to prevent deaths.

Published – March 08, 2026 06:22 am IST