A risk factor is something that increases a person's chance of getting a disease. Some risk factors, like smoking, can be controlled.
December 30, 2004 (Press Release) --
What Causes Colorectal Cancer?
While we do not know the exact cause of most colorectal cancer, there are certain known risk factors. A risk factor is something that increases a person's chance of getting a disease. Some risk factors, like smoking, can be controlled. Others, such as a person's age, can't be changed. Researchers have found several risk factors that increase a person's chance of getting colorectal cancer.
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Risk Factors for Colorectal Cancer
> Family history < If you have close relatives (parent, brother or sister,or child) who have had this cancer, your risk is increased. Some people with colorectal cancer have a gene defect that causes the cancer. But colorectal cancer is more common in families that do not have a gene defect. People with a family history of colorectal cancer should talk to their doctors about how often to have screening tests.
> Ethnic background < Jews of Eastern European descent (Ashkenazi Jews) may have a higher rate of colon cancer.
> Personal history of colorectal cancer < Even if a colorectal cancer has been completely removed, new cancers may start in other areas of colon and rectum.
> Personal history of polyps < Some types of polyps increase the risk of colorectal cancer, especially if they are large or if there are many of them.
> Personal history of bowel disease < A disease called ulcerative colitis (Crohn colitis) increases the risk of colon cancer. The colon is inflamed over a long period of time and may have ulcers in its lining. If you have this problem, you should start being screened at a young age and have the tests often.
> Age < Your chances of having colorectal cancer go up after age 50.
> Diet < A diet made up mostly of foods that are high in fat, especially from animal sources, can increase the risk of colorectal cancer. The American Cancer Society recommends choosing most of your foods from plant sources and limiting the amount of high-fat foods you eat.
> Lack of exercise < People who are not active have a higher risk of colorectal cancer.
> Overweight < Being very overweight increases a person's colorectal cancer risk. Having extra fat in the waist area increases this risk more than having fat in the thighs or hips.
> Smoking < Most people know that smoking causes lung cancer, but recent studies show that smokers are 30% to 40% more likely than nonsmokers to die of colorectal cancer.
> Alcohol < Heavy use of alcohol has been linked to colorectal cancer.
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How Many People Get Colorectal Cancer?
Other than skin cancer, colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer found in men and women in this country. The American Cancer Society estimates that there will be about 106,370 new cases of colon cancer and 40,570 new cases of rectal cancer in 2004 in the United States. Combined, they will cause about 56,730 deaths.
The death rate from colorectal cancer has been going down for the past 15 years. One reason is that there are fewer cases. Also, they are being found earlier, and treatments have improved.
http://www.cancer.org/
While we do not know the exact cause of most colorectal cancer, there are certain known risk factors. A risk factor is something that increases a person's chance of getting a disease. Some risk factors, like smoking, can be controlled. Others, such as a person's age, can't be changed. Researchers have found several risk factors that increase a person's chance of getting colorectal cancer.
---------------
Risk Factors for Colorectal Cancer
> Family history < If you have close relatives (parent, brother or sister,or child) who have had this cancer, your risk is increased. Some people with colorectal cancer have a gene defect that causes the cancer. But colorectal cancer is more common in families that do not have a gene defect. People with a family history of colorectal cancer should talk to their doctors about how often to have screening tests.
> Ethnic background < Jews of Eastern European descent (Ashkenazi Jews) may have a higher rate of colon cancer.
> Personal history of colorectal cancer < Even if a colorectal cancer has been completely removed, new cancers may start in other areas of colon and rectum.
> Personal history of polyps < Some types of polyps increase the risk of colorectal cancer, especially if they are large or if there are many of them.
> Personal history of bowel disease < A disease called ulcerative colitis (Crohn colitis) increases the risk of colon cancer. The colon is inflamed over a long period of time and may have ulcers in its lining. If you have this problem, you should start being screened at a young age and have the tests often.
> Age < Your chances of having colorectal cancer go up after age 50.
> Diet < A diet made up mostly of foods that are high in fat, especially from animal sources, can increase the risk of colorectal cancer. The American Cancer Society recommends choosing most of your foods from plant sources and limiting the amount of high-fat foods you eat.
> Lack of exercise < People who are not active have a higher risk of colorectal cancer.
> Overweight < Being very overweight increases a person's colorectal cancer risk. Having extra fat in the waist area increases this risk more than having fat in the thighs or hips.
> Smoking < Most people know that smoking causes lung cancer, but recent studies show that smokers are 30% to 40% more likely than nonsmokers to die of colorectal cancer.
> Alcohol < Heavy use of alcohol has been linked to colorectal cancer.
===============
How Many People Get Colorectal Cancer?
Other than skin cancer, colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer found in men and women in this country. The American Cancer Society estimates that there will be about 106,370 new cases of colon cancer and 40,570 new cases of rectal cancer in 2004 in the United States. Combined, they will cause about 56,730 deaths.
The death rate from colorectal cancer has been going down for the past 15 years. One reason is that there are fewer cases. Also, they are being found earlier, and treatments have improved.
http://www.cancer.org/
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