How Do People Get Colon Cancer?
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Exactly how people get colon cancer remains unknown. All cancers begin when something goes wrong with the normal cell growth and division process. When cells become altered or begin to grow and divide more rapidly than is necessary, a mass of unneeded precancerous cells may accumulate. When this happens in the colon or rectum, the precancerous cells can form in the lining of the intestine. These precancerous cells sometimes clump together to form polyps along the wall of the colon. Over time --- usually several years --- the polyps can become cancerous. Although the exact cause of colon cancer is unknown, certain risk factors for developing the disease have been identified.
Risk Factors You Can't Control
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• Age: According to the Mayo Clinic, 90 percent of people who get colon cancer are over 50. Although younger people can get colon cancer, it happens much less frequently.
• A history of colon cancer or polyps: People who have already had colon cancer are at a greater risk of developing colon cancer in the future. Having a large number of polyps also increases the chances of getting colon cancer.
• A history of bowel disease: Inflammatory bowel diseases, specifically Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, increase the chances of developing colon cancer.
• Genetics: A person with a close family member who has had colon cancer is at greater risk of developing the disease. The risk is even greater if the family member got the cancer before the age of 60. -
Lifestyle Risk Factors
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• Diet: A low-fiber, high-fat diet has been associated with increased chances of getting colon cancer. There are, however, conflicting studies in this area.
• Lack of exercise: A sedentary lifestyle may increase chances of developing colon cancer. Lack of exercise causes waste to remain in the colon longer, which may contribute to cancer.
• Obesity: People who are overweight have a greater chance of getting colon cancer than people with normal weight. Their risk of dying from the disease is also greater.
• Alcohol and smoking: People who smoke or have a heavy consumption of alcohol have a greater risk of getting colon cancer.
• Diabetes: Having diabetes and insulin resistance may increase the chances of developing colon cancer.
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Although risk factors affect a person's chances of getting colon cancer, The American Cancer Society warns that risk factors aren't conclusive. A person with no known risk factors can get colon cancer, and having risk factors doesn't mean a person will get the disease.
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