Colorectal cancer is a condition that commonly affects people over the age of 50, though it can manifest earlier than that in some patients. Colorectal cancer is the result of genetic mutations accumulating in the cells of the colon or rectum. Certain factors can predispose a patient to developing colorectal cancer; patients with a high risk of developing this condition may require special medical care.
Lifestyle
There are a number of lifestyle factors that can increase a person's risk of developing colon cancer, the American Cancer Society explains. One of the main factors is a diet high in fat and low in fiber, particularly if the patient eats large amounts of red meat and few fruits and vegetables. Patients who are obese and are not physically active are also more likely to develop colorectal cancer; this is especially true for men, the American Cancer Society notes. Because smokers swallow certain cancer-inducing chemicals, cigarette smoking is also associated with an increased risk of developing colorectal cancer. Finally, heavy alcohol consumption can also damage the lining of the colon, leading to colorectal cancer. Because patients can take steps to eliminate these risk factors, this class of factors is often known as "changeable" risk factors.
Unchangable Risk Factors
Some of the risk factors for colon cancer cannot be changed by the patient. For example, age is a major risk factor for colon cancer, as 90 percent of all patients who are diagnosed with colorectal cancer are over the age of 50, according to the Mayo Clinic. Being of African-American descent is another risk factor for colorectal cancer. In addition, colorectal cancer appears to run in families, so there appears to be a genetic component to this disease. In addition, patients with inflammatory bowel disease are also more likely to develop colorectal cancer.
Considerations
Patients who have multiple risk factors for colorectal cancer, be they lifestyle or unchangeable risk factors, may need to take special steps to try and identify colon cancer early. Patients with a high risk of developing colorectal cancer may undergo a test known as a fecal occult blood test, which looks for the presence of blood in the stool, the National Cancer Institute explains. It is commonly performed along with another screening test, known as a digital rectal exam. Patients may also benefit from a colonoscopy, in which a thin and flexible camera is inserted into the patient's rectum and moved throughout the colon in order to examine the colon's walls. These screening tests are recommended for patients with multiple risk factors for colon cancer as they can identify cancerous and precancerous masses and allow for early treatment. Adults over the age of 50 should receive these tests if they have any other risk factors.
Genetic Disorders
There are certain genetic conditions that are unique in that they give patients an extremely high risk of developing colorectal cancer. The most common genetic disorders that cause colorectal cancer, according to the American Cancer Society, are familial adenomatous polpyosis and hereditary nonpolypyosis colon cancer, known as FAP and HNPCC respectively. Patients with these conditions develop colon polyps early in life that typically become cancerous. Relatives of people who have these conditions may want to have their DNA tested for the genetic mutations that lead to these conditions. These conditions are different than other risk factors because they typically lead to colorectal cancer earlier in life.
Prevention
Patients who have a high risk of developing colorectal cancer can take certain preventative steps to prevent the cancer from occurring. A colonoscopy can identify precancerous growths, which are known as polyps. Patients who have polyps in the colon may opt to have these removed because the polyps frequently progress to become cancerous. Patients with FAP or HNPCC may take more drastic measures and have their colon preemptively removed, thus preventing it from becoming cancerous.
