Colorectal cancer is the third most commonly diagnosed cancer in both men and women. Here are some of the factors that can increase your risk.
Age: Colorectal cancer is much more common after age 50, which is the age most people should begin to have a colorectal screening such as a colonoscopy.
Too Much Red Meat: A diet high in beef, pork and lamb as well as hot dogs and some luncheon meats can increase your risk.
A Family History of Colorectal Cancer: About one in five people with colorectal cancer have a family member who also had the disease.
A Personal or Family History of Polyps: Colon polyps are fleshy growths on the inside of the colon. Adenomatous polyps are the ones that could turn into colon cancer. There is no known way to prevent polyps, but they can be removed by colonoscopy.
A Personal History of Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD): This is a condition in which the colon in inflamed for a long period of time and includes ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease.
Smoking, obesity and high alcohol use can also raise the risk of the having the disease.
Source: American Cancer Society, WebMD