Understanding your colon cancer risk: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia

P Colon cancer risk factors are things that increase the chance that you could get cancer. Some risk factors you can control, such as drinking alcohol. Others, such as family history, you cannot control.
P The more risk factors you have, the more your risk increases. But it does not mean you will get cancer. Many people with risk factors never get cancer. Other people get colon cancer but do not have any known risk factors.
P Learn about your risk and what steps you can take to prevent colon cancer.

T Risk Factors
P We do not know what causes colon cancer, but we do know some of the things that may increase the risk of getting it, such as:
- Age. Your risk increases after age 50
- You have had colon polyps or colon cancer
- You have inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), such as ulcerative colitis or Crohn disease
- Family history of colorectal cancer or polyps in parents, siblings, or children
- Gene changes (mutations) in certain genes (rare)
- African American or Ashkenazi Jews (people of Eastern European Jewish descent)
- Type 2 diabetes
- Diet high in red and processed meats
- Physical inactivity
- Obesity
- Smoking
- Heavy alcohol use

T How to Reduce Your Risk
P Some risk factors are in your control, and some are not. Many of the risk factors above, such as age and family history, can't be changed. But just because you have risk factors you can't control doesn't mean you can't take steps to lower your risk.
P Start by getting colon cancer screenings starting at age 50. You may want to start screening earlier if you have a family history. Screening can help prevent colon cancer, and it is one of the best things you can do to lower your risk.
P Certain lifestyle habits also may help lower your risk:
- Maintain a healthy weight
- Eat a low-fat foods with plenty of vegetables and fruits
- Limit red meat and processed meat
- Get regular exercise
- Limit alcohol to no more than 1 drink per day for women and 2 drinks per day for men
- DO NOT smoke
P You can also have genetic testing done to assess your risk for colon cancer. If you have a strong family history of the disease, talk with your health care provider about testing.
P Low-dose aspirin may be recommended for some people who are at very high risk for colon cancer found with genetic testing. It is NOT recommended for most people because of side effects.

T When to Call the Doctor
P Call your provider if you:
- Have questions or concerns about your colon cancer risk
- Are interested in genetic testing for colon cancer risk
- Are due for a screening test

T Alternative Names
P Colon cancer - prevention; Colon cancer - screening

T References
P Itzkowitz SH, Potack J. Colonic polyps and polyposis syndromes. In: Feldman M, Friedman LS, Brandt LJ, eds. Sleisenger and Fordtran's Gastrointestinal and Liver Disease. 10th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2016:chap 126.
P US Preventive Services Task Force, Bibbins-Domingo K, Grossman DC, et al. Screening for colorectal cancer: US Preventive Services Task Force recommendation statement. JAMA. 2016;315(23):2564-2575. PMID: 27304597 www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27304597.
P Van Schaeybroeck S, Lawler M, Johnston B, et al. Colorectal cancer. In: Niederhuber JE, Armitage JO, Doroshow JH, Kastan MB, Tepper JE, eds. Abeloff's Clinical Oncology. 5th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2014:chap 77.

T Review Date 8/15/2016
P Updated by: Todd Gersten, MD, Hematology/Oncology, Florida Cancer Specialists & Research Institute, Wellington, FL. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Isla Ogilvie, PhD, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.

T Related MedlinePlus Health Topics
- Colorectal Cancer

