A risk factor is anything that increases a person's chance of getting a disease. Some risk factors, like smoking, can be controlled. Others, like a person's age, cannot be changed.
Age: Colorectal cancer is more likely to occur as people get older. Although it can occur at any age, over 90% of colorectal cancer cases occur after age 50.
Ethnicity: American Indians, African Americans and Ashkenazi Jews have higher rates of colon cancer.
Diet: Diets high in red meat and saturated fats are associated with colorectal cancer. Eating fruits and vegetables every day helps to reduce your cancer risk.
Sedentary Lifestyle: Physical inactivity contributes to obesity, which is associated with an increased risk of colon cancer.
Polyps: Polyps are non-cancerous growths on the inner wall of the colon and/or rectum. If you have had polyps, you have a higher than average risk of developing colorectal cancer.
Personal History: If you have already had colorectal cancer or precancerous polyps, you are more likely to develop the disease again, even if the cancer was completely removed. Women who have had ovarian, endometrial or breast cancer have an increased chance of developing colorectal cancer.
Family History: Parents, siblings and children of someone who has had colorectal cancer or pre-cancerous polyps are more likely to develop this cancer themselves. If more than one family member has had colorectal cancer or polyps, the risk increases.
Ulcerative Colitis: This condition, also known as chronic inflammatory bowel disease, increases a person's chance of developing colorectal cancer.
Other risk factors for colorectal cancer include smoking, alcohol consumption and genetics. Having one or more of these risk factors does not guarantee that you will develop colorectal cancer. Your doctor may be able to suggest ways to reduce your risk and can recommend an appropriate schedule for screening check-ups.
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03/13/2008