Colon Cancer

Risk Factors for Colon Cancer

A risk factor is a condition or behavior that can increase the chances for getting a disease or serious medical disorder. Risk factors which increase a person's chances of getting colorectal cancer include:

Age older than 50 years
Sedentary lifestyle
Obesity
Smoking
Heavy alcohol use
Prior personal history of colorectal cancer
History of polyps (excluding non-precancerous polyps called hyperplastic polyps)
History of inflammatory bowel disease (ulcerative colitis or Crohn's disease)
Personal history of ovarian, endometrial or breast cancer,
First degree relative (parent, sibling or child) who has had colorectal cancer
Two second degree relatives (Grandparent, Aunt, Uncle, or Cousin) with colorectal cancer
Familial syndrome such as hereditary non-polyposis syndrome (also known as Lynch syndrome) or familial adenomatous polyposis (also known as Gardner's syndrome).

There has been conflicting data regarding dietary factors that decrease the rate of colorectal cancer, but studies suggest that a diet that is low in animal fat and high in fiber may decrease the risk.

The patient's first degree family members (parents, brothers, sisters, and children) should be made aware of the patient's colorectal cancer diagnosis and those individuals should tell their physician in order to ensure appropriate colorectal cancer screening in hopes of preventing colorectal cancer in that person.

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Last Reviewed: Jun 24, 2010

Gregory S Cooper, MD
Professor of Medicine
Division of Gastroenterology and Liver Disease
Department of Medicine
School of Medicine
Case Western Reserve University

Timothy O'Brien, MD
Associate Professor of Medicine
Department of Medicine
School of Medicine
Case Western Reserve University