Home / Myth Busters / Colorectal cancer
Colorectal cancer myths,
answered with evidence.
పెద్దపేగు, మలాశయ క్యాన్సర్ – అపోహలు, నిజాలు
Colorectal (bowel) cancer is one of the most preventable and treatable cancers, yet its warning signs are often blamed on piles or diet. This series covers who is at risk, the symptoms not to ignore, screening and colonoscopy, treatment, and life after bowel cancer.
When to see a doctor
Warning signs that need a check
- Blood mixed with the stool, or dark, maroon or black stools
- Bleeding that keeps coming back, or continues after treatment for piles
- A change in bowel habit lasting more than three to four weeks
- Unexplained weight loss, tiredness or anaemia
- A feeling that the bowel hasn't emptied fully
Read more: Blood in the stools is always caused by piles?
Sudden or severe symptoms need emergency care: go to the nearest emergency department or call 108.
30 myths · Updated October 2026
Causes and risk
Colorectal cancer occurs only in elderly people?
పేగు క్యాన్సర్ వయసు మళ్లినవాళ్లకు మాత్రమే వస్తుందా?The risk rises with age, but colorectal cancer also occurs in younger adults. Cancer diagnosed before 50 is an important and growing concern.
Read the factsMyth #02 · Causes & riskOnly people with a family history get colorectal cancer?
కుటుంబ చరిత్ర ఉన్నవారికి మాత్రమే పేగు క్యాన్సర్ వస్తుందా?Most colorectal cancers occur in people with no inherited syndrome or strong family history.
Read the factsMyth #03 · Causes & riskVegetarians can't get colorectal cancer?
శాకాహారులకు పేగు క్యాన్సర్ రాదా?A vegetarian diet does not remove the risk. Age, genes, excess weight, inactivity and other factors all contribute.
Read the factsMyth #04 · Causes & riskSpicy food directly causes colorectal cancer?
కారంగా ఉండే ఆహారం నేరుగా పేగు క్యాన్సర్ తెస్తుందా?There isn't good evidence that spicy food itself causes colorectal cancer. Processed meat, excess body fat and alcohol have much stronger links.
Read the factsMyth #05 · Causes & riskIf I have no digestive problems, I can't have colorectal cancer?
జీర్ణ సమస్యలు లేకపోతే పేగు క్యాన్సర్ ఉండదా?Early colorectal cancer and the polyps that can turn into it often cause no symptoms at all.
Read the factsMyth #23 · Causes & riskHerbal colon cleanses and detox products prevent bowel cancer?
మూలికా పేగు శుభ్రత, డిటాక్స్ ఉత్పత్తులు పేగు క్యాన్సర్‌ను నివారిస్తాయా?No cleanse, detox powder or enema has been shown to prevent bowel cancer. Proven protection comes from screening tests, removing polyps, physical activity, a healthy weight and a diet rich in fibre.
Read the factsMyth #28 · Causes & riskWhen one person in the family has bowel cancer, the others do not need any tests?
కుటుంబంలో ఒకరికి పేగు క్యాన్సర్ వస్తే మిగతావాళ్లకు ఏ పరీక్షలూ అవసరం లేదా?Brothers, sisters, children and parents of someone with bowel cancer have a higher risk and usually need colonoscopy earlier than others. Some families carry an inherited condition, such as Lynch syndrome, that can be tested for.
Read the factsSymptoms and early detection
Blood in the stools is always caused by piles?
మలంలో రక్తం అంటే ఎప్పుడూ మొలలేనా?Piles are common, but bleeding from the back passage can also be a sign of polyps or bowel cancer. Bleeding that persists, keeps returning or isn't explained needs checking.
Read the factsMyth #07 · Symptoms & early detectionColorectal cancer always causes abdominal pain?
పేగు క్యాన్సర్ ఉంటే ఎప్పుడూ కడుపు నొప్పి ఉంటుందా?Early bowel cancer is often painless. Bleeding, iron-deficiency anaemia or a change in bowel habit may be the first signs.
Read the factsMyth #08 · Symptoms & early detectionConstipation always means colorectal cancer?
మలబద్ధకం అంటే ఎప్పుడూ పేగు క్యాన్సరేనా?Most constipation has nothing to do with cancer. A new, lasting or worsening change in bowel habits, especially with bleeding, anaemia or weight loss, needs a check.
Read the factsMyth #09 · Symptoms & early detectionA normal stool test completely rules out colorectal cancer?
మల పరీక్ష నార్మల్ వస్తే పేగు క్యాన్సర్ పూర్తిగా లేనట్లేనా?Stool tests such as FIT can miss cancers and large polyps. A negative result does not rule out cancer in someone with symptoms.
Read the factsMyth #10 · Symptoms & early detectionColonoscopy isn't needed unless symptoms develop?
లక్షణాలు వచ్చే వరకు కొలనోస్కోపీ అవసరం లేదా?Screening can find and remove polyps before they ever turn into cancer, and before any symptoms appear. When to start depends on age and individual risk.
Read the factsMyth #21 · Symptoms & early detectionIf I am anaemic, iron tablets are all I need?
రక్తహీనత ఉంటే ఐరన్ మాత్రలు వేసుకుంటే చాలా?Iron tablets correct the blood count, but they do not answer why the iron was lost. In adults, especially men and women past menopause, slow bleeding from the bowel is a common hidden cause.
Read the factsMyth #22 · Symptoms & early detectionA lump in the right side of the abdomen is usually intestinal TB?
కడుపు కుడి వైపు గడ్డ అంటే సాధారణంగా పేగు టీబీయేనా?Intestinal TB, Crohn’s disease, lymphoma and bowel cancer can all cause a lump in the right lower abdomen. Only a biopsy and tests on the tissue can tell them apart.
Read the factsDiagnosis and treatment
Colonoscopy is extremely painful and dangerous?
కొలనోస్కోపీ విపరీతమైన నొప్పితో కూడినదీ, ప్రమాదకరమైనదా?Colonoscopy is generally well tolerated, often with sedation. Serious complications are uncommon, although bleeding and perforation are recognised risks.
Read the factsMyth #12 · Diagnosis & treatmentRemoving a polyp during colonoscopy makes cancer spread?
కొలనోస్కోపీలో పాలిప్ తీసేస్తే క్యాన్సర్ వ్యాపిస్తుందా?Removing polyps prevents cancer, and lowers the number of people who develop colorectal cancer. Proper removal does not make cancer spread.
Read the factsMyth #13 · Diagnosis & treatmentEvery colorectal cancer needs the entire intestine removed?
ప్రతి పేగు క్యాన్సర్‌కూ పేగు మొత్తం తీసేయాలా?Surgery is tailored to where the tumour is and how far it has spread. Most patients do not need their whole colon removed.
Read the factsMyth #14 · Diagnosis & treatmentEvery rectal cancer patient needs a permanent colostomy bag?
ప్రతి మలాశయ క్యాన్సర్ రోగికీ శాశ్వత కొలోస్టమీ సంచి తప్పదా?Many rectal cancers can be treated with surgery that preserves the back passage. Some patients whose tumour disappears completely after treatment may avoid surgery altogether, with very close monitoring.
Read the factsMyth #15 · Diagnosis & treatmentChemotherapy is necessary for every colorectal cancer patient?
ప్రతి పేగు క్యాన్సర్ రోగికీ కీమోథెరపీ తప్పనిసరా?Some early cancers are treated with surgery alone. Chemotherapy is recommended according to stage, risk features found at surgery, and the tumour's molecular characteristics.
Read the factsMyth #24 · Diagnosis & treatmentA normal CEA blood test means I do not have bowel cancer?
సీఈఏ రక్త పరీక్ష నార్మల్ వస్తే నాకు పేగు క్యాన్సర్ లేదా?CEA is normal in many people who have bowel cancer, especially early cancer. It cannot be used to rule cancer in or out.
Read the factsMyth #25 · Diagnosis & treatmentRectal cancer always needs an operation?
మలాశయ క్యాన్సర్‌కు ఎప్పుడూ ఆపరేషన్ తప్పదా?Most rectal cancers are treated with surgery, but some people whose cancer disappears completely after radiotherapy and chemotherapy, or after immunotherapy for a special type (dMMR), can be watched closely instead of having an operation.
Read the factsMyth #29 · Diagnosis & treatmentChemotherapy tablets are weaker than chemotherapy given by drip?
కీమోథెరపీ మాత్రలు సెలైన్ ద్వారా ఇచ్చే కీమోథెరపీ కంటే బలహీనమైనవా?Capecitabine tablets work as well as the drip form of the same medicine (5-FU) for bowel cancer, and they need the same care with side effects.
Read the factsAdvanced disease, modern treatment and survivorship
Radiotherapy has no role in colorectal cancer?
పేగు క్యాన్సర్‌లో రేడియోథెరపీకి పాత్ర లేదా?Radiotherapy has an established role in selected rectal cancers, particularly locally advanced ones. It is not routinely used for most colon cancers.
Read the factsMyth #17 · Advanced disease & survivorshipIf colorectal cancer spreads to the liver, cure is impossible?
పేగు క్యాన్సర్ కాలేయానికి పాకితే నయం కావడం అసాధ్యమా?Some patients with a limited number of liver deposits achieve long-term freedom from cancer, or cure, after combined chemotherapy and surgery or other local treatments.
Read the factsMyth #18 · Advanced disease & survivorshipAll colorectal cancers respond to the same medicines?
అన్ని పేగు క్యాన్సర్లకూ ఒకే మందులు పనిచేస్తాయా?Molecular features such as mismatch repair (MMR) status, RAS, BRAF and HER2 help decide which medicines will work.
Read the factsMyth #19 · Advanced disease & survivorshipStage IV colorectal cancer means there are no useful treatments?
నాలుగో దశ పేగు క్యాన్సర్ అంటే ఉపయోగపడే చికిత్సలు లేవా?Chemotherapy, targeted medicines, immunotherapy for selected tumours, surgery and other local treatments can all improve outcomes. Some patients with limited spread are treated with the aim of cure.
Read the factsMyth #20 · Advanced disease & survivorshipOnce colorectal cancer treatment is finished, follow-up isn't needed?
పేగు క్యాన్సర్ చికిత్స ముగిశాక తదుపరి పరీక్షలు అవసరం లేదా?Follow-up helps find any return of the cancer early, as well as new polyps or cancers in the bowel. The schedule depends on the stage and treatment received.
Read the factsMyth #26 · Advanced disease & survivorshipLiving with a stoma (bag) means a normal life is over?
స్టోమా (సంచి)తో బతకడం అంటే మామూలు జీవితం ముగిసినట్లేనా?Most people with a stoma return to work, travel, exercise, prayer, intimacy and family life. Many stomas after rectal cancer surgery are temporary and are closed after a few months.
Read the factsMyth #27 · Advanced disease & survivorshipAfter bowel cancer treatment, rest is best and exercise should be avoided?
పేగు క్యాన్సర్ చికిత్స తర్వాత విశ్రాంతే మంచిది, వ్యాయామం చేయకూడదా?Regular physical activity after treatment lowers the chance of bowel cancer coming back and helps people live longer.
Read the factsMyth #30 · Advanced disease & survivorshipEating less will starve the cancer?
తక్కువ తింటే క్యాన్సర్‌కు ఆహారం అందక చచ్చిపోతుందా?Cutting down food does not starve a cancer; it weakens the body. Good nutrition helps people cope with surgery and chemotherapy and recover faster.
Read the facts