What Are The Risk Factors?

Transcript

Colon cancer risk factors include: Older age. The majority of people with colon cancer are older than 50. A personal history of colon cancer or polyps. If you’ve already had colon cancer or non-cancerous colon polyps, you have a greater risk of colon cancer in the future. Inflammatory intestinal conditions such as ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease, low fiber, high fat diet as is typical in Western culture, or diets rich in red and processed meat, a sedentary lifestyle, diabetes, obesity, smoking, heavy use of alcohol, radiation therapy directed at the abdomen to treat previous cancers.

Key Takeaways

1. Older people are at higher risk – the majority of people with colon cancer are older than 50.

2. A personal history of colon cancer or polyps increases risk.

3. Inflammatory intestinal conditions including ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease increase risk.

4. Dietary factors like a low fiber, high fat diet or diets rich in red and processed meat increase risk

5. Other risk factors include a sedentary lifestyle, diabetes, obesity, smoking, heavy use of alcohol, radiation therapy directed at the abdomen to treat previous cancers.