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Researchers have identified several circumstances that put you at risk for colorectal cancer. If you have a relative with this disease, your risk is increased. If that relative is a first-degree relative such as your mother, father, sister, brother, son or daughter, the risk is higher. If there is more than one relative with colorectal cancer, the risk is still greater. And if a relative has one of the hereditary colon polyp disorders, called familial adenomatous polyposis, or hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer, your risk grows even higher. You may want to consult a genetic counselor.
Several conditions besides your heritage place you at high risk for colon cancer. Certainly smoking, probably a diet high in animal fat and red meat, possibly excess alcohol consumption, and possibly a low-residue fiber diet may also contribute to risk. Your risk increases with age; the age of 50 is an arbitrary starting point for beginning routine screening. If you or a relative have ever had a colon polyp (or a cancer), your risk is substantially greater. If you yourself have familial adenomatous polyposis or an inflammatory bowel disease such as Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis, your risk may be so high your physician will recommend that you have your entire colon removed surgically to prevent cancer from forming. Ashkenazi Jews are thought to be at a higher risk.
Other risk factors include:
- Having a diet high in animal fat
- A history of pelvic radiation
- Lack of physical exercise
- Drinking alcohol excessively
- Smoking
- Exposure to asbestos and possibly diabetes
This article was reviewed and updated June 2007.
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