What Causes Colon Cancer
What are the causes of colon cancer? This is an important question to most of us considering the number of people who have been afflicted with colon cancer.
First, age is one risk factor of this disease. Individuals who are more than 50 are more likely to develop colon cancer. Another risk factor is alcohol. Researches suggest that alcohol can increase the risk of colorectal cancer.
Another risk factor of colon cancer is diabetes. Studies suggest that dependency on insulin can contribute to the growth of colon cancer. Diabetics are at least 40% likely to gain colon cancer compared to people who are not afflicted with diabetes.
Diet is also another possible cause of colon cancer. Individuals who like to eat food rich in fat and cholesterol, particularly from animal sources, are more prone to developing colon cancer. While low fiber diet is also associated with increased risk of colon cancer, there is no clear indication that the link is true.
Environment is also a risk factor of colon cancer. The place where one lives, the people around him or her, the occupation, and even the workplace are environmental factors that can increase chances of developing colon cancer.
Another risk factor of colon cancer is ethnicity. There is evidence indicating that Westerners are more prone to getting colon cancer, thanks in large part to their ethnicity. Likewise, those who have a family history of colon cancer are also likely to get colon cancer.
Still another risk factor is gender. Men have been proven to be more susceptible to gaining colon cancer compared to women. Genetics also is considered a risk factor of colon cancer, with studies proving that 1 out of 4 colon cancer cases are linked to genetics.
Inflammatory bowel disease which is usually characterized by conditions like ulcerative colitis, can increase the chances of getting colorectal cancer. Usually, the longer that a person has had this disease, the greater the risk of getting colorectal cancer.
The lack of exercise can also lead to an individual getting colon cancer. Frequent exercise can prevent the development of cancerous cells in the colon. Along the same line, obesity can also lead to the development of colon cancer cells. People who are overweight are more prone to getting colon cancer.
Lastly, those individuals who have a medical history polyps, certain cancers, or bowel inflammation are also at greater risk of colon cancer.
