Colorectal cancer is one of the 5 most common cancers in men and women in the United States. While the exact cause of most colorectal cancers is unknown, there are certain known risk factors.
A risk factor is something that affects your chance of developing a disease. Some risk factors, like smoking, can be controlled while others, such as your age, can't be changed.
Factors that may increase your risk of colon cancer include:
- Older age. About 90 percent of people diagnosed with colon cancer are older than 50.
- African-American race. African-Americans have a greater risk of colon cancer than do people of other races.
- A personal history of colorectal cancer or polyps.
- Inflammatory intestinal conditions. Long-standing inflammatory diseases of the colon, such as Crohn's disease, can increase your risk of colon cancer.
- Family history of colon cancer and colon polyps. You're more likely to develop colon cancer if you have a parent, sibling, or child with the disease.
- Low-fiber, high-fat diet.
- A sedentary lifestyle. Getting regular physical activity may reduce your risk of colon cancer.
- Diabetes. People with diabetes and insulin resistance may have an increased risk of colon cancer.
- Obesity. People who are obese have an increased risk of colon cancer when compared with people of normal weight.
- Smoking.
- Alcohol.
- Previous radiation therapy for cancer. Radiation therapy directed at the abdomen to treat previous cancers may increase the risk of colon cancer.
Free Colorectal Cancer Take-Home Screening Kit
Thanks to colorectal cancer screening, polyps can be found early and removed before they turn into cancer. Early detection is a key factor in improving survival rates from colorectal cancer. Call 877-763-9467 for free take-home screening kit. Supplies are limited. Limit two kits per household.