Apollo Cancer Centre launched ColFit today, a structured colorectal cancer screening program integrating FIT testing and colonoscopy pathways to catch cases early and improve patient outcomes.
Today Apollo Cancer Centre experts unveiled ColFit, a new colorectal cancer screening initiative designed to spot disease before it advances. India’s five-year survival rate for colorectal cancer sits below 40%, and most cases emerge only after symptoms appear, driving up treatment costs and worsening outcomes. ColFit will offer the Faecal Immunochemical Test (FIT) for average-risk adults aged 45 and above and combine it with risk stratification to guide timely colonoscopy for those at higher risk.
The event brought together surgical oncologists, gastroenterologists, and hospital leadership to explain how ColFit aims to reverse India’s trend of late-stage diagnoses. ColFit begins with patient registration, recording age, family history, and lifestyle factors. Those without familial risk receive a simple FIT kit, which requires one stool sample and no dietary restrictions. If the FIT returns positive, patients move on to colonoscopy; if negative, they receive advice on follow-up intervals and lifestyle changes.
“We must shift from reactive care to proactive screening for colorectal cancer,” said Dr Yeshwanth R, Consultant – Surgical Oncology. “Lifestyle factors such as poor diet, sedentary habits, and obesity are major contributors to rising CRC cases. A high-fiber diet, regular exercise, and proactive screenings can play a pivotal role in prevention. With ColFit, we are making early detection accessible through FIT, a simple, non-invasive test that can significantly reduce complications and improve outcomes.” He went on to note, “If the disease is detected in the precancerous stage, it can be treated endoscopically without any surgeries. All cases of stage 1 and most stage 2 cases are treated only through surgery without the need for radiation and chemotherapy. For the surgical management of colorectal cancer, we have the latest technologies like the Da Vinci robotic system through which patients can undergo surgeries with very small incisions, leading to early recovery and discharge.”
Dr Sachin S Shetty, Senior Consultant Gastroenterologist, stressed the need for wider awareness. “Colorectal cancer is increasingly affecting both young and elderly populations in India, yet survival rates remain alarmingly low due to late-stage diagnoses. While countries with established screening programs have seen improved outcomes, nearly 60% of CRC cases are detected at advanced stages, with an additional 20% presenting with metastases. Early screening and awareness are critical to reversing this trend. At Apollo Cancer Centres, we are committed to advancing early detection through ColFit, precision treatments, and holistic care to improve patient outcomes and reduce the burden of CRC in India.”
ColFit’s protocol splits patients into two pathways. Average-risk individuals—those aged 45 and above without family history—receive the FIT kit. High-risk patients—those with a family history, known genetic syndromes, or longstanding inflammatory bowel disease—are recommended a combined FIT plus direct colonoscopy. In cases of abnormal FIT, a DNA mutation analysis of stool samples may be added, while colonoscopy findings guide biopsy and polyp removal in the same session where feasible.
“ColFit represents Apollo’s dedication to enhancing cancer care through practical innovation and wider accessibility,” said Mr Dinesh Madhavan, President, Group Oncology & International. “By introducing this comprehensive screening program, we aim to change how communities approach preventive healthcare. A significant percentage of colorectal cancers are diagnosed at advanced stages in India, and our goal is to bring reliable diagnostic tools to the population, helping people identify issues and take necessary measures at earlier and more easily treatable stages.”
Experts noted that detecting CRC in stages 1 and 2 raises cure rates to between 75% and 90%. This underlines the life-saving potential of structured screening. Apollo plans to roll out ColFit across its network, with mobile units visiting corporate offices, mall health camps, and residential associations to distribute FIT kits and educate on signs such as persistent bowel changes, unexplained weight loss, and ongoing abdominal discomfort.
To support patients through the process, Apollo has set up a dedicated CRC helpline and online portal where users can register for ColFit, schedule follow-up colonoscopies, and receive reminders. Genetic counseling is offered to families with hereditary syndromes like Lynch syndrome and familial adenomatous polyposis.
ColFit also addresses cost barriers. FIT kits are priced to align with common diagnostic tests, and Apollo is negotiating tie-ups with insurers to include ColFit under preventive health packages. The center will offer subsidized colonoscopies for FIT-positive cases through its patient assistance programs.
By integrating data from every FIT result and colonoscopy report, Apollo aims to build a regional registry to track incidence, monitor trends, and refine risk models. This database will guide future outreach, targeting communities where late-stage diagnosis rates remain high.
As the press event concluded, Apollo’s leadership called on employers, insurance providers, and public health agencies to adopt structured CRC screening as a priority. With ColFit, Apollo Cancer Centres is pushing the narrative from treating advanced cancer toward stopping it before it starts. The message was clear: colorectal cancer is preventable and beatable when detected early, and structured programs like ColFit can tilt the balance in India’s favor.
