You or a family member has been diagnosed with colon cancer and want to know what caused this cancer. The doctors do not know the exact cause of colon cancer, but they do know that usually begins with small growths in the colon called polyps .
These polyps can take years to grow large enough to be seen during a routine colonoscopy and it takes many years for these polyps will become cancerous.
Although the exact cause of colon cancer ,
there are several risk factors that may increase the risk of developing this cancer. A risk factor is something that may increase the risk of developing cancer or other disease. Some risk factors such as age, can not be changed , while others , such as diet , may modify and reduce risk. Risk factors for age of colon cancer in hereditary diseases .
The primary risk factor for colon cancer is the most common . Is this your age. Approximately 90% of all cases of colon cancer are found in people over 50 . Many of these cases do not have other risk factors , so that is the most important factor in the development of this cancer.
Therefore , many doctors suggest getting a colonoscopy as part of their annual review after 50 years.
Another risk factor for developing colon cancer is the medical history of your family and inherited diseases that can affect the development of colon polyps
. If a member of your immediate family (parents, siblings or children ) had colon cancer , you are more likely to develop it.
The risk depends on the number of family members were , how old they were when they were diagnosed and if the story spans several generations. This is known as a family history of colon cancer and can be caused by genetic mutations
. These mutations are more common in certain ethnic groups such as Jews of Eastern European heritage. If this is your case , you can have a blood test to check for genetic mutations.
These genetic changes can cause various diseases, such as family adenoma polyps ( AP ) , attenuated familial adenoma polyps ( AFP ) colon cancer and hereditary (NPC ) . All these genetic conditions may be colon cancer , if it is not treated . These conditions are rare and some people diagnosed with colon cancer did.
His medical history also contributes to your risk of developing colon cancer.
The risk is higher if you have had cancer in the past. Large polyps , even after removal , can increase the chances of developing colon cancer .
There are also certain conditions that may increase your risk of colon cancer, such as ulcerative colitis and Cohn's disease.
The end - and easiest to change - risk factors are diet , exercise and habits. Rich in fat and calories and high protein diet has been shown to increase the chances of developing colon cancer
. This type of diet can also contribute to other risk factors , weight
. Lack of exercise also helps your own risk.
You can reduce these three risk factors, making some simple changes like eating more fruits and vegetables and begin exercising .
These two changes will help you lose weight and improve your diet. Smoking and drinking also contribute to the risk of colon cancer
. Some studies have shown that smoking increases the chances of developing colon cancer . Alcoholics are also at increased risk of colon cancer due to their alcohol consumption risk.
Studies have shown that drinking more than 2 drinks per day increases the risk of colon cancer.