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Colorectal Cancer Risk Factors
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Everyone is at risk of developing colorectal cancer; however, having one or more risk factors may increase your chance of developing the disease.
There are many risk factors; some of them, such as age, family history, and race, are beyond our control. There are other risk factors than can be controlled, such as your weight, drinking alcohol, and physical activity. Below are key factors that may increase your risk of colorectal cancer.
- Age (risk increases after age 50)
- Diet high in red meats (e.g., steak and hamburger) and processed meats (e.g., hot dogs and lunch meat)
- Certain racial and ethnic groups (African American and Ashkenazi Jews)
- Inflammatory bowel disease (e.g., Crohn’s Disease or ulcerative colitis)
- Personal or family history of polyps or colorectal cancer
- Certain hereditary syndromes
- Type 2 diabetes
- Tobacco use
- Heavy alcohol use
- Lack of exercise
- Overweight
To learn more about how risk factors influence your chance of developing colorectal cancer, visit the American Cancer Society web site. |
