Am I at risk for getting colorectal cancer?
Though colorectal cancer is preventable, there are still a number of important risk factors that people can’t control.
Knowing these risk factors can certainly help you to lower your chances of getting colorectal cancer. These include:
- Age: Older age, especially 55 years or older is one of the biggest factors that may increase your risk of developing colorectal cancer.
- Cancer history: Prior history of colon polyps, bowel diseases or colorectal cancer puts you at a higher risk of developing the cancer of colon or rectum.
- Inflammatory intestinal conditions: If you have chronic inflammatory diseases of the colon, such as ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease.
- Hereditary syndromes: Some gene mutations such as common inherited syndromes like Lynch syndrome and familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP).
- High-fat and low-fiber diet: A diet which is low in fiber and high in fat and calories is believed to increase the risk of developing colorectal cancer.
- Inactive lifestyle: Sedentary lifestyle or lack of physical activity.
- Diabetes: People suffering from diabetes or insulin resistance have a higher risk of colon cancer.
- Obesity: Being overweight and obesity are linked to cancers of colon and rectum.
- Smoking and drinking: People who smoke and drink excessively are more prone to develop the colon cancer.
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