Risk FactorsAgeColorectal cancer is most common in people over the age of 50. Therefore, it is important for people 50 years of age and older to be screened. However, younger people, and even teenagers, can get the disease.
DietPeople who have a diet that is low in fruits and vegetables may be more likely to get colorectal cancer. Eating a diet rich in fruits and vegetables might help prevent colorectal cancer, and is also recommended for the overall health benefits it provides. Researchers still don’t know exactly how what we eat can help fight cancer, but they continue to study the connection and are seeing some promising results.
Family HistoryParents, siblings, and children of people who have had colorectal cancer are more likely to develop the disease. If you have one or more relatives who have had colorectal cancer, it may be necessary to check for this cancer at a younger age and/or more often than others who do not have a family history of colorectal cancer.
Personal Medical HistoryPeople who have previously had colorectal cancer are more likely to get the disease again. Women who have had cancer of the ovary, uterus or breast are also more likely to develop colorectal cancer. Certain types of polyps, and conditions such as ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s Disease, also increase a person’s chance of getting colorectal cancer. If you have had any of these conditions, it may be necessary to check for colorectal cancer at a younger age and/or more often than others who have not had these conditions.
LifestylePeople who are obese or who get very little exercise are more likely to develop colorectal cancer. Regular moderate exercise, such as a daily hour-long walk, may reduce the risk of developing colorectal cancer.Too much alcohol may also increase your risk. Smoking can also increase your risk of developing colorectal cancer and other cancers. If you have smoked in the past, it is still important to get screened, because you are still at risk for developing colorectal cancer. The combination of alcohol and tobacco has been linked to colorectal cancer and other gastrointestinal cancers. It is recommended that if you drink alcohol, you should do so only in moderation. If you use tobacco, you should make every attempt to quit.
Ethnicity/ RaceAfrican AmericansAfrican Americans do not have a higher likelihood of getting colorectal cancer, but their cancers are often discovered at a later stage than Caucasian Americans. Because the disease is caught in a later stage, African Americans are more likely to die from colorectal cancer.
Hispanic Americans
Ashkenazi Jews (of Eastern European origin)
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Colorectal Web University of Michigan Health System Comprehensive Cancer Center
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