Colon Cancer Risk Factors

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Colon Cancer Risk Factors

Posted: May 1, 2007

Colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer deaths in the United States. The number of new cases of colorectal cancer in the United States has been decreasing slightly, and the number of deaths due to colorectal cancer has been decreasing. The risk of colorectal cancer tends to increase after the age of 40.

Risk factors for colorectal cancer include the following:

Being older than 50 years of age.
Having a personal history of any of the following:
- Colorectal cancer.
- Polyps in the colon or rectum.
- Cancer of the ovary, endometrium, or breast.
- Ulcerative colitis or Crohn's disease.
Having a parent, brother, sister, or child with colorectal cancer or polyps.
Having certain hereditary conditions, such as familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) and hereditary nonpolyposis colon cancer (HNPCC; Lynch Syndrome).

Diet and lifestyle
Diet and lifestyle may affect colorectal cancer risk. Many factors are under study.

Studies show colorectal cancer risk may be affected by the following factors:

Vitamin D: Studies show that taking 1,000 IU of vitamin D daily may cut the risk of colorectal cancer in half.
Folic acid: High doses of folic acid may help decrease colorectal cancer risk.
Physical activity: A lack of physical activity, especially combined with a diet high in fat, may increase colorectal cancer risk.
Obesity: In premenopausal women, obesity has been linked to an increased colorectal cancer risk.
Smoking: Cigarette smoking has been linked to increased colorectal cancer risk.
Alcohol: Drinking alcohol may increase colorectal cancer risk.

It is not known if taking calcium or vitamin E supplements decreases the risk of colorectal cancer.

It is not known if a diet low in fat and high in fiber, fruits, and vegetables decreases the risk of colorectal cancer.

There is no evidence that statin use affects the risk of colorectal cancer.

Polyp Removal: Studies have shown that removing polyps, which may develop into cancer, decreases the risk of colorectal cancer. Bleeding and infection sometimes occur after polyps are removed during colonoscopy or sigmoidoscopy. Rarely, the procedure tears the colon.

Source: National Cancer Institute

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