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Reducing Men’s Risk for Colon Cancer

Srihari Ramanujam, MD, Gastroenterologist, Columbia St. Mary’s

Posted: Sept. 1, 2008

Colon cancer causes the second most cancer deaths in the United States. Studies show that healthy lifestyle choices can lower your risk for the disease. Regular screening is the most important action men can take to lower their risk.

Colon cancer risk factors
The lifetime risk of developing colon cancer is 6%. The risk of colon cancer increases with age. Although colon cancer can occur in younger and older men, more than 90% of people diagnosed with the disease are over the age of 50. As a result, it is recommended that average-risk individuals should begin screening for colon cancer at age 50.

In some cases, screening should begin at an earlier age. If members of your immediate family have been diagnosed with colon cancer, you are at a higher risk. If you have inflammatory conditions of the colon such as ulcerative colitis or a history of colorectal polyps or cancer, you also are at a greater risk for colon cancer.

African-Americans are at a higher risk for the disease than other ethnic groups. Diabetes may increase your risk of colon cancer as well.

Lifestyle-related risk factors
Several colon cancer risk factors can be controlled with a healthy lifestyle.

Maintaining a healthy weight helps reduce the risk of colon cancer. A diet that is high in fiber and calcium as well as fruits and vegetables can decrease the chance of developing the disease. A poor diet – particularly one that is high in red meat and low in calcium, folate and fiber – can increase a person’s risk.

A lack of physical activity also puts you at risk, while increasing your activity can help reduce the risk.

Cigarette smoking and heavy alcohol use also can increase the risk of developing colon cancer and colon polyps.

The importance of screening tests
Most cases of colon cancer begin as precancerous clumps of cells known as polyps. Over time, some of these polyps can become cancer.

Polyps can be small and may not produce symptoms. Regular screening tests can identify colon cancer at an early stage when it is most treatable, and can reduce the risk of developing colon cancer by identifying and removing polyps before they become cancer.

There are several screening methods, each with its own risks and benefits. Colonoscopy is generally considered the most effective since it allows both identification and removal of polyps. It is a procedure in which the rectum and colon are examined using a long, thin, lighted instrument called a colonoscope. Talk to your doctor to select which screening test is right for you.

Screening tests can detect cancer before a person is experiencing symptoms. Symptoms may include changes in bowel habits, blood in the stool, abdominal pain, weight loss or cramping. Colon cancer can be effectively treated when diagnosed early – the five-year survival rate is 90% in cases where the disease is diagnosed and treated at an early stage.


Srihari Ramanujam, MD
Gastroenterologist
414-326-1745

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