Am I At Risk for Colorectal Cancer?

Eating red meat more than once a day can increase your risk for colon cancer.

There is really no way to know for sure if you’re going to get colorectal cancer. Certain factors can make you more likely to get colorectal cancer than another person. These are called risk factors. However, just having one or more risk factors does not mean you will get cancer. In fact, you can have all the risk factors and still not get colorectal cancer, or you can have no known risk factors and still get it.

See if any of the following statements in bold type apply to you. If any do, you may be at an increased risk for colorectal cancer. Some risk factors, such as having a family history of cancer or getting older, are out of your control. But some risk factors--what you eat, how much you weigh, whether you smoke, how much you drink, and how often you exercise--are factors you can control.

Every time you agree with one of the following statements, ask yourself this. “Am I doing all I can to control that risk factor?” Controlling it may seem hard, but your efforts can pay off in terms of your health and quality of life. Ask your doctors and your loved ones to help you think of ways you can lower your risk for colorectal cancer.

I am older than age 50.

The average age that people are diagnosed with colorectal cancer is 72. That doesn’t mean you can’t get the disease if you are younger. Even adolescents can get it. But the fact is that more than 90% of cases are found in people older than age 50.

People in my immediate family have had colorectal cancer.

One out of every 5 people with colorectal cancer has 2 or more relatives who have had the disease. That’s because family members share many of the same genes. It may also be because family members often have similar lifestyles. If your parents, brothers or sisters, or your children have had the disease, you’re at a much higher risk than other people. This is especially true if your relative had the cancer before age 60.

I have had colorectal cancer before.

If you’ve had colorectal cancer before, you’re at risk for developing it in another part of your colon or rectum. This is especially true if you had it before age 60.

I have had polyps in my colon or rectum.

Polyps are growths that can occur in your colon and rectum. They are extremely common in adults older than age 50. Usually they’re benign. That means they are not cancerous. However, some polyps can become cancer over time. That means that if you have a history of getting them, you may be more likely to get cancer. Polyps can be discovered and removed before they become cancer. This often happens during a routine screening test, such as a colonoscopy. You should talk with your doctor about how often to have one of these tests done. You can also lower your risk of getting polyps. Eating a low-fat diet with lots of fruits and vegetables is one way. Not smoking and not drinking in excess is another. You can also lower your risk for polyps by maintaining the proper body weight.

I have the condition familial adenomatous polyposis, also called FAP.

FAP is a fairly rare inherited condition. It causes hundreds of polyps to form in someone who has it. These polyps often form between ages 5 and 40. Beginning at age 20, the polyps could become cancerous. Most people with FAP develop cancer before age 40 unless they have preventive surgery.

I have the condition hereditary nonpolyposis colon cancer, also called HNPCC.

About 4 out of every 100 cases of colorectal cancer are caused by HNPCC. This is a rare inherited condition. It causes polyps to form early in a person’s life. But unlike FAP, which causes hundreds of polyps, this condition causes only a few. This condition can also cause other cancers such as endometrial cancer or cancer of the small intestine.

I smoke.

Smoking may be directly responsible for as many as 12% of the fatal cases of colon cancer. That’s one out of every 8. There are many known cancer-causing agents, also called carcinogens, in cigarette smoke. Some are swallowed and can cause cancer in those parts of the digestive system they come in contact with. Some enter the blood and travel through your body to your intestines. If you smoke, your doctor may be able to help you find a stop-smoking program that can work for you.

I don’t have a bowel movement at least once a day.

The longer your stool stays inside your bowel, the longer your bowel is exposed to possible carcinogens. These are cancer-causing agents that may be in the food you eat. Regular bowel movements can help reduce the amount of exposure you have to these agents. That can lower your risk. “Regular” does not mean the same thing to everyone. But to lower your risk, you should have a bowel movement at least once a day. The stool should also be easy to pass. Here are some things you can do to make your bowel movements more regular.

• Get at least 30 minutes of moderate physical activity 5 days a week. You could take a walk or work in your garden, for example.

• Get plenty of fiber in your diet. Fresh fruits, dried fruits, vegetables, and cereals and breads made from whole grain are excellent sources of fiber.

• Be sure you drink plenty of fluids every day to help make the stool soft and easy to pass.

I have had ovarian, uterine, or breast cancer.

Research has shown that women who have had any of these 3 diseases are more likely to get colorectal cancer. As with colorectal cancer, the risk for all 3 of these cancers could be inherited. In fact, ovarian cancer and uterine cancer can each suggest the presence of HNPCC. That stands for hereditary nonpolyposis colon cancer. If you have had one of these cancers, talk with your doctor about the proper approach to screening.

I’m overweight.

Obesity may play a role in as many as 3 out of every 10 cancers. And colorectal cancer is more common in people who are obese than people who are not. This is especially true for men. Doctors talk about body mass index, also called BMI, in determining who is overweight. But for colorectal cancer, it may be more important where your excess weight is than how overweight you are. Some studies suggest that if most of your extra weight is in your abdominal area, rather than in your hips, you are more likely to get colorectal cancer. This may be why obesity is more significant for men than for women. Men tend to carry their weight in their middle rather than in their hips. Researchers think that the extra weight increases insulin levels and that higher insulin levels cause polyps that can become cancerous. Being overweight is also associated with low levels of physical activity, and that is another risk factor.

I drink more than one alcoholic drink a day.

If you drink more than one beer, glass of wine, or mixed drink a day, you’re more likely to get colorectal cancer. And the more you drink, the higher your risk becomes. Researchers think that too much alcohol can change your DNA. Working with your doctor to stop drinking could lower your risk.

I eat a lot of red meat.

Red meat includes beef, pork, lamb, and veal. Studies show that if you eat a lot of red meat more than once a day, you are at more risk for colorectal cancer than people who don’t eat a lot of red meat. A healthy diet that lowers your risk for cancer is one low in animal fat that includes plenty of fruits, vegetables, and whole-grain products. Eating red meat well-done may even add to your risk. Researchers say that the high temperatures usually used to cook meat can produce certain cancer-causing compounds, also called carcinogens. Meat may also affect how your colon works by raising your levels of iron and producing compounds that damage cells.

I have inflammatory bowel disease, also called IBS.

There are several types of IBS. Ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease are two. Chronic IBS causes long-term inflammation of your colon. This increases your risk for colorectal cancer. The longer you have one of these conditions, the more important it is to be screened for colorectal cancer at regular intervals.

Factors That May Increase Your Risk

The following risk factors are still being studied. If any of these statements apply to you, you may be at a higher risk for colorectal cancer.

I’m African American.

If you’re African American, you’re more likely to get colorectal cancer than members of other population groups. You’re also more likely to die of the disease. It is not clear why these differences exist. One possible reason, researchers think, is a difference in access to screening and medical care. Another possible reason is differences in socioeconomic and lifestyle factors. Researchers are also studying the way tumors develop in African Americans.

I’m Jewish.

If you’re Jewish and of Eastern European descent (Ashkenazi), you may have a higher risk of getting colorectal cancer. Some evidence suggests a gene mutation is the reason. It isn't clear, though, that this genetic change is responsible for the increased number of colorectal cancers in Ashkenazi Jews.

I eat a high-fat diet.

Some studies have shown that a high-fat diet can increase your risk of getting colorectal cancer. The connection between the fat and the cancer, though, is not clear. More recent studies suggest that the meat itself rather than the fat it contains is responsible for the higher risk. Some manufactured fats, such as those found in margarine, produce chemical effects that could lead to colorectal cancer, but more research needs to be done. Certain nonanimal fats, such as olive oil, may actually offer some protection. Still, cancer experts recommend a diet low in animal fat and high in fruits and vegetables as a way to help protect yourself against colorectal cancer.

I eat a high-sugar diet.

There is some evidence that eating lots of sugar, also called sucrose, may increase your risk of getting colorectal cancer. One possible reason is that sugar raises your insulin levels. High levels of insulin can stimulate the growth of cells in the colon’s lining. High levels of insulin can also cause tumors to grow faster. Another problem with sugar is that consuming a diet high in sugar promotes weight gain. Obesity is a known risk for colorectal cancer.