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Colorectal cancer (also commonly called colon cancer) is the second leading cause of death from cancer in the United States.
Risk factors only increase your risk of getting a disease like colon cancer. However, if you have these risk factors it does not necessarily mean that you will get colon cancer. Likewise, for protective factors. Protective factors may decrease your risk but do not mean that you will not get colon cancer. Talk to your doctor about the best ways to prevent colon cancer.
The following risk factors may increase your risk of colon cancer:
- Age. Colon cancer is more common after age 50.
- Obesity and lack of exercise. Being obese is linked to a higher risk of colon cancer. Not exercising regularly may also be linked to a higher risk.
- Smoking. Smoking cigarettes is linked to an increased risk of getting colon cancer.
- Alcohol. Drinking alcohol may increase your risk of getting colon cancer.
- Family history of colon cancer in parent, sibling or child.
- History of colon polyps or inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn's or ulcerative colitis)
The following protective factors may decrease your risk of getting colon cancer:
- Polyp removal. Most colon cancers start as benign (non-cancerous growths). Removing colon polyps during a colonoscopy or sigmoidoscopy lowers the risk of colon cancer.
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This article was reviewed and updated June 2007.
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