Colorectal cancer

Colorectal cancer, also called colon cancer or bowel cancer, includes cancerous growths in the colon, rectum and appendix.

Risk factors

The lifetime risk of developing colon cancer in the United States is about 7%. Certain factors increase a person's risk of developing the disease. These include:

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• Age. The risk of developing colorectal cancer increases with age. Most cases occur in the 60s and 70s, while cases before age 50 are uncommon unless a family history of early colon cancer is present.
• History of cancer. Women who have had cancer of the ovary, uterus, or breast are at higher risk of developing colorectal cancer.
• Heredity:
• Family history of colon cancer, especially in a close relative before the age of 55 or multiple relatives
• Familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) carries a near 100% risk of developing colorectal cancer by the age of 40 if untreated
• Hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer (HNPCC) or Lynch syndrome
• Long-standing ulcerative colitis or Crohn's disease of the colon, approximately 30% after 25 years if the entire colon is involved
• Smoking. Smokers are more likely to die of colorectal cancer than non-smokers
• Diet. Studies show that a diet high in red meat (Chao et al 2005) and low in fresh fruit, vegetables, poultry and fish increases the risk of colorectal cancer. In June 2005, a study by the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition suggested that diets high in red and processed meat, as well as those low in fiber, are associated with an increased risk of colorectal cancer. Individuals who frequently ate fish showed a decreased risk.http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/4088824.stm However, other studies have cast doubt on the claim that diets high in fiber decrease the risk of colorectal cancer.http://archives.cnn.com/2000/HEALTH/cancer/04/19/colon.cancer/ The nature of the relationship between dietary fiber and risk of colorectal cancer remains controversial.
• Physical inactivity. People who are physically active are at lower risk of developing colorectal cancer.
• Virus. Exposure to some viruses (such as particular strains of human papilloma virus) may be associated with colorectal cancer.