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Understanding your colon cancer risk
Colon cancer - prevention; Colon cancer - screening
Colon cancer risk factors are things that increase the chance that you could get cancer. Some risk factors you can control, such as drinking alcohol. Others, such as family history, you cannot control.
The more risk factors you have, the more your risk increases. But it does not mean you will get cancer. Many people with risk factors never get cancer. Other people get colon cancer but do not have any known risk factors.
Learn about your risk and what steps you can take to prevent colon cancer .
Colon cancer
Colon, or colorectal cancer, is cancer that starts in the large intestine (colon) or the rectum (end of the colon). Other types of cancer can affect ...
Risk Factors
We do not know what causes colon cancer, but we do know some of the things that may increase the risk of getting it, such as:
- Age. Your risk increases after age 50
-
You have had
colon polyps
or colon cancer
Colon polyps
A colorectal polyp is a growth on the lining of the colon or rectum.
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You have inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), such as
ulcerative colitis
or
Crohn disease
Ulcerative colitis
Ulcerative colitis is a condition in which the lining of the large intestine (colon) and rectum become inflamed. It is a form of inflammatory bowel ...
Read Article Now Book Mark ArticleCrohn disease
Crohn disease is a disease where parts of the digestive tract become inflamed. It most often involves the lower end of the small intestine and the be...
Read Article Now Book Mark Article - Family history of colorectal cancer or polyps in parents, siblings, or children
- Gene changes (mutations) in certain genes (rare)
- African American or Ashkenazi Jews (people of Eastern European Jewish descent)
- Type 2 diabetes
- Diet high in red and processed meats
- Physical inactivity
-
Obesity
Obesity
Obesity means having too much body fat. It is not the same as being overweight, which means weighing too much. A person may be overweight from extr...
Read Article Now Book Mark Article - Smoking
- Heavy alcohol use
How to Reduce Your Risk
Some risk factors are in your control, and some are not. Many of the risk factors above, such as age and family history, can't be changed. But just because you have risk factors you can't control doesn't mean you can't take steps to lower your risk.
Start by getting colon cancer screenings starting at age 50. You may want to start screening earlier if you have a family history. Screening can help prevent colon cancer, and it is one of the best things you can do to lower your risk.
Colon cancer screenings
Colon cancer screening can detect polyps and early cancers in the large intestine. This type of screening can find problems that can be treated befo...
Certain lifestyle habits also may help lower your risk:
- Maintain a healthy weight
- Eat a low-fat foods with plenty of vegetables and fruits
- Limit red meat and processed meat
- Get regular exercise
- Limit alcohol to no more than 1 drink per day for women and 2 drinks per day for men
- DO NOT smoke
You can also have genetic testing done to assess your risk for colon cancer. If you have a strong family history of the disease, talk with your health care provider about testing.
Low-dose aspirin may be recommended for some people who are at very high risk for colon cancer found with genetic testing. It is NOT recommended for most people because of side effects.
When to Call the Doctor
Call your provider if you:
- Have questions or concerns about your colon cancer risk
- Are interested in genetic testing for colon cancer risk
- Are due for a screening test
References
Itzkowitz SH, Potack J. Colonic polyps and polyposis syndromes. In: Feldman M, Friedman LS, Brandt LJ, eds. Sleisenger and Fordtran's Gastrointestinal and Liver Disease . 10th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2016:chap 126.
US Preventive Services Task Force, Bibbins-Domingo K, Grossman DC, et al. Screening for colorectal cancer: US Preventive Services Task Force recommendation statement. JAMA . 2016;315(23):2564-2575. PMID: 27304597 www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27304597 .
Van Schaeybroeck S, Lawler M, Johnston B, et al. Colorectal cancer. In: Niederhuber JE, Armitage JO, Doroshow JH, Kastan MB, Tepper JE, eds. Abeloff's Clinical Oncology . 5th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2014:chap 77.
Review Date: 8/15/2016
Reviewed By: Todd Gersten, MD, Hematology/Oncology, Florida Cancer Specialists & Research Institute, Wellington, FL. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Isla Ogilvie, PhD, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
