What are the risks for colorectal cancer?
Colorectal cancer is the second leading cancer killer in the United States. As many as 60% of the deaths could be prevented however is people aged 50 and older had regular screening tests.
The exact causes of colorectoral cancer are not know but studies have shown that major risk factors include age, personal or family history of cancer, lifestyle and diet.
Until recently it was thought that this cancer affected primarily men. But we now know that men are only at slightly greater risk than women. Man are more likely to be at risk for colon cancer while women are more at risk for rectal cancer.
What are the primary risk factors for colorectoal cancer?
Age. Colorector cancer is most common in people over age 50. But be aware, this cancer can occur in persons much younger and some rare cases have been reported of the disease being found in teenagers.
Diet. Studies seem to indicate that this cancer is found more frequently in people whose diets are low in fiber and high in fat.
Polyps. Polyps are benign growths on the inner wall of the colon. They are somewhat common in people over 50.
Familial polyposis. This is a rare and inherited condition which causes hundred of polyps to form in the colon and rectum. This condition must be treated as it almost always leads to colorector cancer developing.
Personal Medical History. Women who have a history of cancer of the ovaries, uterus or breast have shown a somewhat increased risk for developing colorectal cancer. It is also likely that persons who have been diagnosed with the disease are more likely to have it recur a second time.
Family Medical History. Parents, siblings and children of persons who have colorectal cancer are also somewhat more likely to develop this type of cancer themselves. The more individuals within a family group who have this cancer increase the chances that other members of the family group will also develop the disease.
Race. Blacks have the highest rates of sporadic (non-hereditary) colorectal cancer in the United States. Colon cancer is a leading cause of cancer-related deaths among blacks. .Black women are more likely to die from colorectal cancer than women from any other racial group. Black men are even more likely to die from colorectal cancer than black women.
Considering this unusual pre-disposition, the American College of Gastroenterology suggests that black people begin screening with colonoscopies at age 45
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Conditions such as ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease, may develop chronic inflammation of the large intestine, which increases the risk of colon cancer. IBD is not the same as irritable bowel syndrome.
Physical inactivity and obesity. People who get no regular exercise and people who are overweight may have an increased risk of colorectal cancer.
Smoking. Recent studies have shown that smokers are more likely to die from colorectal cancer than nonsmokers.
Having one or more of these risk factors does not guarantee that you will develop colorector cancer. Just be aware if you have any, some or all of these risk factors you should discuss regular screenings with your doctors.