Colon cancer, also called colorectal cancer, affects the large intestine in the lower area of your digestive tract. In most cases, there are no symptoms until the cancer spreads. Therefore, it is important to know your risk factors and undergo recommended screenings to detect colon cancer while it can still be treated effectively.
Age
Your age is a factor in the risk of developing colon cancer. According to the American Cancer Society (ACS), while it is possible for younger people to be diagnosed with this disease, it affects more than 90 percent of people older than age 50. Regular colon cancer screenings should begin at age 50 for healthy adults, according to the ACS.
Family History
According to the American Cancer Society, as many as 1 in 5 people diagnosed with colon cancer are related to someone who either has, or has had, colon cancer. Those who have a first-generation relative, such as a parent, child, brother or sister, with a history of this disease are at an increased risk. According to the Mayo Clinic, it may be due to a hereditary link or common exposure to the same environmental carcinogens or lifestyle habits.
Personal History
Colon cancer begins as adenomatous polyps, or non-cancerous clumps of cells. If detected in time, these polyps can be removed. If left untreated, they can evenutally become colon cancer. People with a history of adenomatous polyps are at an increased risk for developing colon cancer, especially if they are large or numerous.
A history of colon cancer, even if it has been successfully removed, places you at an increased risk for developing colon cancer in other areas of your colon or rectum. This risk increases even more if your first experience with colon cancer occurred before you were 50.
Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Inflammatory bowel disease causes your colon to be inflamed over a long period of time. Eventually this results in dysplasia, a condition that causes the cells of the rectum and colon to appear abnormal. While they do not resemble cancer cells when examined, over time they can turn into cancer cells. Inflammatory bowel disease includes conditions such as Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis.
Your Diet
Fiber has many benefits, and decreasing your risk of colon cancer might be one of them. According to the American Cancer Society, there is a link between diets high in fiber-rich foods such as fruits and vegetables, and decreased incidents of colorectal cancer. The ACS also states that diets high in red and processed meats can increase your risk of developing this disease.
Ethnicity
Jews of Eastern European descent and African Americans have some of the highest incidences of colon cancer. The reason for this increased risk is not clearly understood, however, according to the ACS.
