Because most cases of colon cancer occur in people who do not have any family history of the disease, genetics is not always part of the cause for colon cancer, according to the Susan Cohan Kasdas Colon Cancer Foundation. While no foods cause colon cancer, some foods do increase your risk of getting the disease.
Diet
Diet is one of the risk factors for colon cancer that you have control over. Although no foods cause cancer, what you eat affects your colon cancer risk, in part because food passes through your colon during the digestive process, according to the Susan Cohan Kasdas Colon Cancer Foundation. When food passes through the colon it comes into contact with the cells of the colon, making it easier for them to be affected by substances that are carcinogenic.
Bacteria can also act on the bile acids that your body uses to digest fat, turning them into substances that promote cancer, according to the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine. These substances are called secondary bile acids.
Foods
Red meat, processed meat and foods that are high in fat, such as cheese, may increase colon cancer risk. Alcohol consumption may also increase risk, as can foods high in sugar, according to the World Cancer Research Fund. Switching away from animal-based protein and fats to vegetable-based sources of protein can help to minimize your caloric intake, and thus your risk for obesity, which is another risk factor for colon cancer.
Other Risk Factors
A number of other factors affect your risk for developing colon cancer. These include age, being African-American, smoking, having diabetes, being inactive, having had radiation therapy for cancer and having inflammatory intestine conditions, according to the Mayo Clinic.
Lowering Your Risk
Eating a diet based on whole grains, fruits and vegetables, along with lean protein and unsaturated fats, such as omega-3 fats, can help you to lower your colon cancer risk, especially if these foods replace those that increase your colon cancer risk.
Milk, garlic, fruits, non-starchy vegetables, fish and foods containing vitamin D, selenium, folate, fiber and calcium are particularly good for lowering colon cancer risk, according to the World Cancer Research Fund.
Exercising, stopping smoking and getting screened regularly for colon cancer are also important for limiting your risk for colon cancer.
References
- Cancer Project: Cancer Facts-Colon Cancer
- American Cancer Society: Can Colorectal Cancer Be Prevented?
- Susan Cohan Kasdas Colon Cancer Foundation: Colon Cancer Prevention: Dr. Joel Fuhrman
- Ask Dr. Sears: The Anti-Cancer Diet
- World Cancer Research Fund: Food, Nutrition, Physical Activity, and the Prevention of Cancer
- Mayo Clinic: Colon Cancer
