What Causes Colon Cancer

Knowing what causes colon cancer can be found by seeing what disease states are associated with its increased incidence.

If you fit in to any of the categories below, a change of lifestyle and/or screening procedures with your doctor may be in order.

Colon cancer research has uncovered a number of commonalities associated with other illnesses.

Although not all these factors will necessarily cause you to get cancer, they may increase your susceptability.

What Causes Colon Cancer

- Age (90% of cases are over age. 50)

- Family history of colon cancer. (1st degree relative; parent, sibling, child)

- Obesity.

- Diet (high fat, red meat, processed meat, alcohol, low fiber, fruits, and vegetables).

- Smoking.

- Acromegaly (high growth hormone disorder; gigantism).

- Inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis).

- Diabetes.

- Personal history of breast, ovarian, and endometrial cancers.

- Familial Adenomatous polyps (growths on larger intestine).

- Polyps (growths on inner wall of colon and rectum).

- Physical inactivity

Age and Colon Cancer Research

The most important risk factor for developing colon cancer is your age. The odds of you getting it before the age of 40 are rare.

Most screening processes start at the age of 40 including a stool sample kit you may obtain from your doctor. As stated above, 90% of all cases of colon cancer occur after the age of 50.

Family History and Colon Cancer

Having a first degree relative (mother, father, sister, brother) who has been diagnosed with colorectal cancer will greatly increase your odds of contraction. The rate increases even more when more than one family member has been diagnosed, up to 3 to 4 times greater.

Colon cancer has been identified as having a genetic component which increases your odds of developing it. A number of genes specifically have been isolated, with drug trials and research spear heading their development.

Diet and Colon Cancer Survivability

Eating a diet high in fat, red meat (beef, pork, lamb, and goat), processed meats (bologna, hot dogs), and alcohol all increase your chances of developing colon cancer.

Eating a high fiber diet rich in fruits and vegetables may increase your odds of colon cancer survivability, since fiber helps with the passage of food through your bowels.

Fruits and vegetables are also rich in antioxidants that have research supporting their prevention in a number of cancers.

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