| Risk factors :
Most scientists agree that these things affect the risk of colon
cancer. Some may apply to you, but others may not.
Age and colon cancer :
The risk of colon cancer goes up with age. Over 90 percent of cases
are diagnosed in people over the age of 50. The average age the disease is
found is 73.
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Height and colon cancer :
Tall people have a higher risk of colon cancer. Scientists aren't sure
why. One reason may be that tall people have more cells in their bodies, which
increases the number of cells that could become cancerous. Another reason may
be that tall people grow faster as children. Faster growth is linked to changes
in the genetic structure (DNA) of the body's cells, eventually causing them to
become cancerous. Tall men also have a higher risk of prostate cancer. Tall
women also have a higher risk of breast cancer.
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Weight and colon cancer :
People who maintain a healthy weight have a lower risk of colon cancer.
Scientists aren't sure why. One reason may be that weight is related to the
level of insulin-like growth factors in the body. Insulin-like growth factors
are hormones that cause cells to grow. High levels of these hormones may cause
cells in the colon to become cancerous.
People who maintain a healthy weight also have a lower risk of kidney cancer,
heart disease, diabetes and stroke, And women have a lower risk of breast
cancer and uterine cancer.
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Red meat and colon cancer :
People who eat less than 1 serving of red meat a day have a lower risk of colon
cancer. Although scientists aren't sure why, one reason may be that cooked meat
contains chemicals that can cause cells to become cancerous. Red meat includes
beef, pork, veal and lamb. 1 serving is 4 ounces, about the size of a deck of
cards.
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Vegetables and colon cancer :
People who eat at least 3 servings of vegetables a day have a lower risk of
colon cancer. Vegetables contain folate (folic acid), a B-vitamin that helps
keep cells in the colon from becoming cancerous.
1 serving of vegetables is:
1 cup of raw leafy greens like lettuce or spinach
1/2 cup of other vegetables, raw or cooked
1/2 cup of cooked beans or peas
People who eat vegetables also have a lower risk of pancreatic cancer, lung
cancer, heart disease, diabetes and stroke. And women who eat vegetables have a
lower risk of breast cancer.
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Alcohol and colon cancer :
People who have less than 1 drink a day have a lower risk of colon cancer.
Scientists aren't sure why, but one reason may be that limiting alcohol
protects the levels of folate (folic acid) in the body. Folate is a B-vitamin
that helps keep cells from becoming cancerous. It's found in fruits,
vegetables, beans, grains and multivitamins. A drink is a can of beer, a glass
of wine, or a shot of hard liquor. People who limit alcohol also have a lower
risk of high blood pressure, and stroke. And women have a lower risk of breast
cancer. But drinking moderate amounts has benefits too. People who drink
moderate amounts have a lower risk of heart disease and diabetes.
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Multivitamins and colon cancer :
People who take a multivitamin with folate (folic acid) every day have a lower
risk of colon cancer. Folate is a B-vitamin that helps keep cells in the colon
from becoming cancerous. Folate doesn't just protect against colon cancer.
People who take a multivitamin with folate can have a lower risk of heart
disease and stroke. And it lowers the risk of birth defects when taken by women
before pregnancy or during the early stages.
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Physical activity and colon cancer :
People who are physically active for at least 30 minutes a day have a lower
risk of colon cancer, possibly because physical activity cuts down on the time
it takes for the body's waste to move through the colon. Physically active
people also have a lower risk of heart disease, diabetes and stroke. heart And
activity helps maintain a healthy weight.
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Birth control pills and colon cancer :
Women who take birth control pills for at least 5 years have a lower risk of
colon cancer. The longer a woman takes the pill, the more she lowers her risk.
Scientists aren't sure why. One reason may be that birth control pills lower
levels of digestive chemicals in the body. High levels of these chemicals may
cause cells in the colon to become cancerous. Birth control pills can have
positive and negative effects on a woman's health. If taken for at least 5
years, birth control pills can lower a woman's risk of colon cancer, uterine
cancer and ovarian cancer. But while she's taking them, they raise her risk of
breast cancer, heart attack and stroke. For some women, they can also cause
side effects like nausea and vomiting.
WARNING: Smoking and taking birth control pills can be a
deadly combination. Together, they greatly increase the risk of a heart attack
and stroke. All women who smoke should quit good as soon as possible.
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Post-menopausal hormones and colon
cancer
:
Post-menopausal hormones are medications that help ease the symptoms of
menopause, like hot flashes and vaginal dryness. They contain hormones that are
similar to the female reproductive hormones estrogen and progesterone, which
the body stops making in large quantities after menopause. Women who take
post-menopausal hormones for at least 5 years have a lower risk of colon
cancer. Although scientists aren't sure why, it may be that post-menopausal
hormones lower the levels of certain chemicals needed for digestion. High
levels of these chemicals may cause cells in the colon to become cancerous.
Post-menopausal hormones can have positive and negative effects on a woman's
health. They can lower a woman's risk of colon cancer and osteoporosis (bone
loss). But they can raise her risk of breast and uterine cancer. And, although
post-menopausal hormones were once thought to lower the risk of heart disease,
it is now unclear exactly how they affect the risk of the disease.
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Aspirin and colon cancer :
People who take aspirin regularly for more than 15 years have a lower risk of
colon cancer. Scientists aren't sure why. One reason may be that aspirin
prevents the growth of polyps by blocking the production of certain chemicals
in the body. Polyps are small, non-cancerous tumors in the colon or rectum,
which sometimes turn into cancer. Aspirin has both risks and benefits. It can
lower the risk of colon cancer and heart attack, but it can raise the risk of
stroke. And it's sometimes linked to bleeding in the stomach, intestine and
brain. Talk to a doctor about aspirin's risks and benefits before taking it
regularly.
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Inflammatory bowel disease and colon
cancer
:
Inflammatory bowel disease occurs when parts of the intestine swell for a long
period of time. It may be caused by the body's reaction to a virus or
bacterium. The two main types are Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis.
People who have inflammatory bowel disease for 10 or more years have a higher
risk of colon cancer. This is probably because it causes cells in the colon to
grow and divide too quickly. During this process, the cells have less chance to
repair DNA damage that may have taken place. DNA damage can lead to colon
cancer.
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Family history and colon cancer :
A family history of colon cancer can increase the risk of the disease. This is
because some colon cancer is linked to mutations in the genetic structure (DNA)
of the body's cells. These mutations can be passed on from generation to
generation. People with a family history of colon cancer may need to get
screening tests for the disease earlier and more often than most people. Click
here for more on family history and colon cancer screening.
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Screening and colon cancer :
People who get screened regularly for colon cancer have a lower risk of the
disease. Screening tests can prevent colon cancer by finding polyps and then
removing them. Polyps are small, non-cancerous tumors in the colon or rectum,
which sometimes turn into cancer.
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