An athlete, marathon runner, vegetarian, and advocate of a healthy lifestyle… Nothing suggested that Balram Dyal would one day be diagnosed with colorectal cancer. However, in 2019, a simple screening test performed when he was 53 revealed the presence of blood in his stool. After a few more tests, the diagnosis came back: stage 3C colorectal cancer.
“With a lifestyle like that, it’s hard to imagine that something like this could happen to us,” he says. Like many people, he associated this disease with an unhealthy lifestyle. His experience has taught him a very different reality: colorectal cancer can affect even those who are most health-conscious.
Her story underscores the importance of screening, especially since this disease often progresses silently. In her case, no alarming symptoms had caught her attention. However, according to specialists, colorectal cancer can remain asymptomatic for several years. That is why regular screening is recommended starting at age 50, even in the absence of symptoms.
However, when they occur, certain symptoms should never be ignored: blood in the stool, persistent changes in bowel habits (constipation, diarrhea, or thinner stools), recurring abdominal pain, a feeling of incomplete bowel movement, unusual fatigue, or unexplained weight loss. While these symptoms may have other causes, they always warrant a visit to the doctor.
In Mauritius, colorectal cancer is among the most common cancers in both men and women, with a gradual increase in the number of cases over the past twenty years. While certain factors—such as age, family history, or specific genetic predispositions—are non-modifiable risk factors, a high-fiber diet, regular physical activity, and limiting tobacco and alcohol consumption can help reduce the risk.
Today, after undergoing treatment and overcoming his ordeal, Balram has made raising awareness his new mission, especially since many taboos surrounding this disease still persist in Mauritius. “Colorectal cancer doesn’t always give warning signs. But if detected early enough, it is curable in the vast majority of cases. If you notice any unusual symptoms, don’t wait—see a doctor. Screening saves lives,” he says.
