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Colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer worldwide, affecting the colon and rectum. Age and genetics are the main risk factors, but smoking, diet, alcohol, lack of exercise, and inflammatory bowel disease can also contribute. Preventative measures include regular checkups, a healthy diet, and exercise.
Colorectal cancer refers to cancer that begins in the colon and rectum, which make up the last parts of the digestive system. Specifically, they form the large intestine, the colon which covers about the first 5 feet (1.52 meters) of the organ, and the rectum which includes about the last 5 inches (12 centimeters). The United Nations considers colorectal cancer to be the third most frequently diagnosed malignancy in the world, with inhabitants of developed countries being the most affected. While no one knows the exact causes of colorectal cancer, there are several risk factors that doctors list as contributing factors to this common form of cancer.
The most common risk factors for colorectal cancer appear to be age and genetics. According to the National Cancer Institute (NCI), more than 90 percent of all cases involve patients over the age of 50. A person with a history of colorectal cancer, particularly early in life, is more likely to develop it again in the future. If a close relative, especially a sibling or parent, has or had it, the risk increases further. Lynch syndrome in particular, also known as hereditary non-polyposis colon cancer (HNPCC), could be a cause of colorectal cancer, which is the most common form of genetic colorectal cancer and about 2% of cases involve this disease.
Other important factors that can be considered as causes of colorectal cancer include smoking and diet. A 2000 report by the American Cancer Society (ASC) stated that female smokers were 40% more likely to die of the disease than non-smokers, and that smokers were 30% more likely than to non-smokers. The European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC) conducted a study in 2005 that theorizes that people who eat a diet high in fat and red meat but low in fiber, fruit and vegetables have a higher risk of developing cancer than colorectal.
There are several other factors as possible causes of colorectal cancer. These include significant alcohol intake, inflammatory bowel disease such as ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease, lack of exercise, and viruses. While more work needs to be done to truly determine the causes of colorectal cancer, people can take certain steps in an effort to avoid it. Those with family histories of this particular cancer are strongly encouraged to get frequent medical checkups, and a healthier diet and exercise can help prevent the disease.
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