Delhi: Ashish Kumar (name changed) worked as an executive in a multi-national company and due to his engagments at work he usually gave breakfast a slip. But little did the 35-year-old Ashish know how dangerous it would prove for his life.

He noticed the changes only when he started  encountering some problems and by the time he met the doctor it was too late. Ashish was diagnosed with gall bladder cancer in the fourth stage. He died after a protracted battle with the killer disease.

According to doctors, instances of cancers in the colon, stomach, gall bladder and esophagus, which occur mainly due to changes in the lifestyle, have increased among the young professionals working in multi national companies (MNCs).

Life full of stress

Doctors say that they notice many such cases like that of Ashish, where young professionals are diagnosed with life threatening conditions because of drastic change in their lifestyle.

A life full of stress reduces the body's immunity and in turn it's capacity to fight against infection and cancer, making the human body more susceptible to develop cancer.

Dr Amit Bhargava, Consultant Oncologist, Max Healthcare said, "Colon cancer, esophageal cancer, gall bladder cancer and stomach cancer cases have increased tremendously in the past years in youngsters aged between 25-35 years.  I have been coming across many such cases."

Dr Bhargava, who has been practicing in Delhi from the last four years, say that he has come across at least a dozen cases of lifestyle cancer among young professionals.

Making compromises

In a race to meet deadlines and to cope up with meetings a lot of compromises have to be made by these executives which includes skipping meals, working empty stomach for long periods, relying on junk food as it's easily accessible as well as tasty to eat and more than anything else exposure to smoking, alcohol at a relatively young age.

"Non-nutritious diet leads to a deficiency in essential vitamins and minerals leading to weakening of human tissues and organs. Such drastic change in lifestyle makes you prone to lifestyle-related disorders which includes even cancer because when a weak body is subjected to alcohol and smoke it increases the chances of cancer," added Dr Bhargava.

Ulcer formation

In stomach and esophageal cancer, when the stomach mucosa (inner wall of stomach) is subjected to the corroding effects of acid, which is further aggravated by being empty stomach, alcohol and smoking, this causes swelling of the stomach wall (gastritis), leading to benign ulcers. These ulcers, if not treated properly and well in time may lead to cancerous growth.

Hyper acidity lead to gastro-esophageal reflux (i.e. back flow of acid into the esophagus).

This leads to damage to the esophageal inner wall, the normal mucosa changes into dysplastic mucosa (away from normal). 

Prolonged and continuous damage may lead to development of esophageal cancers.
It is best to eat regular -three-meal diet and avoid junk food to lead a normal healthy life.