Colorectal Cancer

Factors that can increase the risk of colorectal cancer include:

• Older age – Colorectal cancer is often diagnosed in people aged 50 years and above. However, younger people can also be diagnosed with the cancer.
• History of colorectal polyps or cancer
• Inflammatory bowel diseases such as ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease.
• Family history of colorectal cancer, familial adenomatous polyposis or hereditary non-polyposis colorectal cancer.
• Diabetes - people with diabetes or insulin resistance are at increased risk of colon cancer.
• A low-fibre, high fat diet
• A sedentary lifestyle
• Smoking
• Heavy use of alcohol