Early diagnosis and treatment can cure colon cancer - cancer in large intestines - according to Dr Christopher John Young, medical officer, department of colorectoral surgery, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Sydney, Australia.

Colon cancer can be detected through stool examination or colonoscopy (through endoscope). If a person has any symptoms like altered bowels, blood in stools, unexplained weight loss, loss of appetite and family history of cancer, it is time to go in for a check-up.

Dr Young performed a surgery on a colon cancer patient at the Asian Institute of Gasteroenterology (AIG) in Hyderabad on Wednesday.

Addressing a press conference after performing the operation, Dr Young suggested insertion of a stent in the large intestine in advanced cases of colon cancer. " No longer a colon cancer patient has to carry a bag near his stomach to excrete as a self expanding metal stent (SEMS) is available in India to make such excretion easy," he said. Insertion of SEMS in the rectum of the patient would help him excrete urine and stools easily as the SEMS would stop the tumour from spreading and blocking the way. This also avoids a lot of embarrassment to the patients.

The device was brought to India about a year ago. However, this stent could be used only when a patient reaches the last stages.

Dr Young said the rapid incidence of colon cancer was due to major changes in the diet and personal habits. The situation had become grave as traditional protective diets like eating fruits and vegetables had given way to junk foods with increasing intake of animal fat, he said.

Dr Nageswar Reddy, consultant gastroenterologist of AIG, said the incidence of colon cancer was on the rise in India recently. Most of the patients fail to realize the early symptoms of colon cancer when there is a blood stool. They mistake it as piles.

Dr Reddy said proper dietary habits would help prevention of colon cancer. People should avoid animal fat and red meat and increase fibre intake by consuming fruits and leafy vegetables. Staying fit and giving up tobacco would also help in this regard. AIG was fully geared up to educate people in this regard and offer treatment in critical cases, he said.