India, May 27 -- Colon cancer is increasingly being diagnosed in younger adults, and one of the biggest concerns is how quietly it can develop. The disease can build over years - sometimes for close to a decade - without causing noticeable symptoms. By the time warning signs such as changes in bowel habits, bleeding, or abdominal discomfort appear, it may already have progressed to a more advanced stage. That is why prevention and early screening are so important. While not every risk factor is in your control, simple everyday habits can go a long way in lowering your risk and supporting long-term colon health.

Dr Saurabh Sethi, a California-based gastroenterologist and hepatologist trained at AIIMS, Harvard and Stanford Universities, is...