Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a common malignancy and a leading cause of cancer-related deaths across the globe. In India, it ranks as the fourth most incident cancer among both men and women. And while genes, diet and lifestyle play a key role in the increased risk of developing CRC, other hidden factors also contribute to the chronic condition.
For 29-year-old Monika Choudhary, who considers herself a healthy eater, life turned upside down when she was diagnosed with colorectal cancer. "Everything changed that day my life, my priorities, my mindset," she said.
The young cancer survivor took to Instagram to share her side of the story and what led to her diagnosis. In her post, Monika said, "I've always been a focused person, especially when it comes to my health. I used to eat healthy and take good care of my diet. I never liked fried or oily food. When I started working on my own website, I didn't realise how demanding and all-consuming it would become.
"The long working hours, screen time, constant deadlines, and stress slowly started to take a toll on me mentally and physically. My days became sedentary. I wasn't moving much, I barely stepped outside, and I completely lost touch with my physical routine."
View this post on Instagram
Monika recalls how extremely active she was before she started working on her website, with evening runs a part of her everyday routine. However, gradually pushing her health to the side began to take a toll on her body.
In her words, "This was a huge shift from the lifestyle I had before. I used to be extremely active. Evening runs were a part of my everyday routine. They were my escape, my therapy. As I got more immersed in work, I kept pushing my health to the side. I told myself I'd get back to it "soon", but that "soon" never came.
"Slowly, my body started giving signs of fatigue, uneasiness, and discomfort, but I dismissed them, blaming it all on work pressure or a lack of sleep."
Monika's life turned around when she was diagnosed with colorectal cancer. She added, "Then came the diagnosis: Stage-4 colorectal cancer. A shocking moment that changed everything. Looking back now, I realise this wasn't just about bad luck. It was a result of stress, burnout, and complete physical neglect over time.
"I learned, in the hardest way possible, that no ambition is worth compromising your health. Our body always keeps the score and it eventually demands attention, one way or another."
Follow TheHealthSite.com for all the latest health news and developments from around the world.
