Colorectal Cancer

While the exact cause for colorectal cancer is unknown, there are certain factors that may increase the risk of developing colorectal cancer. Some of these factors are:

• Age - Colorectal cancer usually affects people over the age of 50.
• History - Patients with
  • History of polyps.
  • History of endometrial cancer and being a carrier for the MMR gene mutation in women
• Inherited syndromes - Familial Adenomatous Polyposis (FAP) and Lynch syndrome also known as Hereditary Non Polyposis Colorectal Cancer (HNPCC).
• Inflammatory intestinal conditions - Ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease
• Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) - In post-menopausal women
• Family history of colorectal cancer.
• Exposure to radiation - Radiation to treat previous cancers in the abdominal region.
• Diabetes - People with diabetes or insulin resistance
• Lifestyle factors such as
  • Low-fiber, high-fat diet
  • Sedentary lifestyle
  • Obesity
  • Smoking
  • Alcohol