Colon cancer is the third-leading cause of cancer death in the United States, affecting 1 out of every 20 individuals. We all want to prevent the disease, so what causes colon cancer anyway? Although there is no way to pinpoint one specific reason, it may be helpful to know the factors that contribute to the development of colon cancer. Here are a few:
- Age. Although anyone can develop colon cancer, 90 percent of colon cancer is discovered in individuals aged 50 or over. For this reason, the recommended guidelines for colon screening begin at age 50. It is important to note that young-onset colon cancer incidence is increasing, so everyone should be familiar with the symptoms of colon cancer.
- Family history of colon cancer. Family history accounts for about 5 to 10 percent of colon cancers. Having a first-degree relative with colon cancer increases your risk of developing colon cancer. Therefore, it is recommended that you be screened ten years before the age that your first-degree relative was diagnosed with polyps or colon cancer.
- Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). If you have a bowel condition such as Crohn’s Disease or ulcerative colitis, you could be at increased risk for developing colon cancer. The risk for colon cancer increases with longer duration of IBD, the extent of the colon that is affected by IBD and the degree of inflammation (Source: NCBI).
- Smoking. Smoking exposes your body cells to thousands of toxic chemicals and free radicals that damage DNA and cause cellular mutations. Not only does smoking increase the chances of developing colon polyps, but smoke inhalation is known to cause more aggressive polyps known as flat adenomas.
- Poor nutrition and lack of exercise. Inflammation of colon tissues significantly increases the risk for polyp development. Eating a high-fat, low-fiber diet contributes to inflammation, but consuming a high-fiber, low-fat diet and exercising regularly reduces inflammation in the intestine.
Knowing your risk for colon cancer and knowing more about what causes the disease will help you to make healthy lifestyle choices. Combined with regular colonoscopies and routine visits to your primary care physician, you can make your strongest stand against developing colon cancer.
