India, Aug. 20 -- The number of cases of colon cancer (CRC), also known as colorectal cancer, among young people is on the rise. This alarming situation has many appearing increasingly at doctors' offices, complaining of blood in their stool, abdominal trouble or unexplained weight loss.

Per the Cancer Research Institute, since the mid-1990s, there has been a consistent annual increase of 2 percent in cases among adults aged 20-39. Experts believe a sedentary lifestyle, lack of exercise and an increased consumption of processed foods and red meat are all at play behind the rise of CRC.

In an interview with HT Lifestyle, Dr Prabhu Nesargikar, senior consultant GI and peritoneal cancer and robotic surgery, HCG Cancer Centre, Bangalore, di...