A colorectal surgeon has highlighted the top five factors that can increase your risk of developing colorectal cancer, which includes cancers in the colon and rectum.
Bowel cancer is the fourth most common cancer in the UK, with almost 44,000 people diagnosed each year. However, Cancer Research UK suggests that 54% of bowel cancer cases are preventable.
Dr Cedrek McFadden, a medical adviser to the Colorectal Cancer Alliance, regularly shares health advice with the organisation’s 27,000 Instagram followers. The doctor has pinpointed five key risk factors for colorectal cancer and offered advice on how to reduce these risks.
1. Genetics
Genetics play a significant role, as having a close relative with colorectal cancer can roughly double your risk due to inherited gene mutations, according to studies.
“If a close relative has had colorectal cancer, you’re at higher risk. Make sure your doctor knows about it,” Dr McFadden told the NY Post.
2. Age
Age is another crucial factor, with risks increasing after age 50, although younger cases are becoming more frequent. “While colorectal cancer can occur at any age, the risk increases significantly after 50 (though we’re seeing younger cases more often now),” said Dr McFadden.
Bowel Cancer UK has revealed that over 90% of new cases (94%) are diagnosed in individuals over the age of 50. However, bowel cancer can affect anyone at any age, with more than 2,600 new cases diagnosed in people under the age of 50 each year.
3. Food and diet
Dietary habits also play a significant role in the risk factors.
“Eating a lot of red or processed meats can increase your risk. Add more fibre-rich fruits, veggies and whole grains to your plate,” advised McFadden.
In the UK, 13% of colorectal cancer cases are attributed to the consumption of processed meat. The World Health Organisation has previously classified processed meats as “carcinogenic to humans“, stating there is “sufficient evidence from epidemiological studies that eating processed meat causes colorectal cancer.”
Instead, people are encouraged to consume more fibrous foods, which feed beneficial bacteria in the gut, slow digestion and promote regular bowel movements, potentially helping to prevent colorectal cancer.
4. Lifestyle
Doing changes to your overall lifestyle can also help reduce the risk of developing colorectal cancer. The most important changes to consider include quitting smoking, reducing alcohol intake and leading an active lifestyle, according to Dr McFadden.
Being overweight or obese also increases the risk of colorectal cancer, with 11% of bowel cancer cases in the UK linked to overweight and obesity. This is due to the fact that excess body fat can cause chronic inflammation, disrupting normal cell growth.
5. Chronic conditions
Inflammation from excess body fat isn’t the only inflammation that increases people’s risk of developing colorectal cancer. “Inflammatory bowel diseases like Crohn’s or ulcerative colitis put you at higher risk,” McFadden revealed.
Similar to obesity, these illnesses cause persistent inflammation in the intestines that can lead to cellular changes that may become cancerous.
Additionally, individuals with Type 2 diabetes also have a higher risk of colorectal cancer as high insulin levels can promote the growth of cancer cells.