Causes of Colon Cancer
The exact causes of colon cancer are unknown. However, researchers have identified several risk factors for colon cancer, such as being over age 50, having colon polyps, smoking, having a personal or family history of colon cancer, genetics, and eating a high-fat, low-fiber diet. These risk factors aren't causes of colon cancer, but they do increase the chances a person may develop the disease.
Causes of Colon Cancer: An Overview
No one knows the exact causes of
colon cancer. Doctors can seldom explain why one person develops the disease and another does not. However, it is clear that
colon cancer is not contagious. No one can "catch" this disease from another person.
Causes of Colon Cancer: Know the Risk Factors
Research has shown that people with certain risk factors are more likely than others to develop colon cancer. A risk factor is anything that is linked to an increased chance of developing a disease.
- Age (colon cancer is more likely to occur as people get older)
- Colon polyps or rectal polyps
- Family history of colon cancer
- Genetics
- Personal history of colon cancer
- Certain medical conditions, like ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease
- Certain diets (such as diets that are high in fat and low in fiber, calcium, and folate)
- Smoking.
While these risk factors are not exact causes of colon cancer, they do make a person more likely to develop the disease.
Age
Colon cancer is more likely to occur as people get older. More than 90 percent of people with this disease are diagnosed after age 50. The average age at diagnosis is in the mid-60s.
Written by/reviewed by: Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
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