By Joy Pierce Mathews for Summit Medical Group

Even if you have a risk factor or several risk factors for colorectal cancer, there's no guarantee you will get the disease. In addition, some people will get colorectal cancer even if they have no known risk factors for it. For these reasons and because early detection and treatment is critical for curing or managing the disease, it's important to be screened.

"All people by age 50 are at average risk for colorectal cancer," according to Farshad Abir, MD, colorectal surgeon for Summit Medical Group. "If you have inflammatory bowel disease or other risk factors for colorectal cancer, you should begin screening at an earlier age."

Risk factors that can increase your odds for developing colorectal polyps and colorectal cancer include:

• Age
  More than 90% of colorectal cancer cases are diagnosed in people age 50 years or more
   
• Personal history of colorectal polyps
  Having many as well as large polyps increase colorectal cancer risk 
   
• Personal history of colorectal cancer
  Previous colon cancer increases the odds it will recur in the colon and rectum
   
• Personal history of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), including ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease
  These conditions alter the cells in the lining of the colon, sometimes leading to cancer 
   
• Family history of colorectal cancer
  Although most colorectal cancers occur in people with no family history of the disease, research shows that 1 in 5 people with colorectal cancer have a family member who has or has had the disease 
   
• Inherited familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP)
  Approximately 1% of colorectal cancers are found in people with a mutation in the adenomatous polyposis coli (APC) gene 
   
• Inherited nonpolyposis colorectal cancer (HNPCC)
  Also known as Lynch syndrome, HNPCC accounts for 3% to 4% of all colorectal cancers 
   
• Juvenile polyposis syndrome and Peutz-Jeghers syndrome
  Rare and inherited, these syndromes increase a person's risk of adenomatous polyps and colorectal cancer 
   
• Being African American or of Eastern European (Ashkenazi) Jewish descent
  Genetic mutations increase the risk of colorectal cancer in people with these racial/ethnic backgrounds  
   
• Eating a diet high in saturated fat that includes a large percentage of red and processed meats as well as meats
  that are cooked at very high temperatures through frying, broiling, and grilling
  Researchers believe chemicals in red and processed meats and chemical changes in meats cooked at very high temperatures increase the risk of colorectal cancer
   
• Obesity
  Studies show an increased risk of colorectal cancer in people who are obese 
   
• Having type 2 (noninsulin dependent) diabetes
  Although researchers are unsure about the exact cause, the increased incidence of colorectal cancer in people with type 2 diabetes might be associated with excess weight. Some people with type 2 diabetes and colorectal cancer also have a less favorable prognosis after they are diagnosed with colorectal cancer. If you have type 2 diabetes, ask your gastroenterologist how often you should be screened for colorectal cancer
   
• Being physically inactive
  The relationship between lack of physical activity and colorectal cancer is unknown, but researchers speculate that physical activity helps prevent obesity, a risk factor for colorectal cancer. In addition, cellular changes and other body processes that benefit from physical activity might help prevent colorectal cancer in some people
   
• Smoking
  The risk of developing and dying from colorectal cancer is greater in long-term smokers, especially men, compared with people who do not smoke 
   
• Excessive alcohol consumption (more than 2 drinks per day for men and more than 1 drink per day for women) Researchers believe that low folic acid levels in heavy drinkers might contribute to higher colorectal cancer rates
   
• Personal history of treatment for cancer of any kind
  Studies show that people who have been treated for certain cancers have higher rates of colorectal cancer. In particular, radiation treatment might increase a person's risk of developing colorectal cancer

Ask your physician about your risk for colorectal cancer, what test might be right for you, and how often you should be screened.

For more information or to schedule an appointment with one of our expert physicians, Adam Barrison, MD, Joseph Belladonna, MD, or J. Scott Gillin, MD, FACP. For an examination and screening, please call Summit Medical Group Gastroenterology at 908-277-8940.

Summit Medical Group Colorectal Surgery treats a variety of illnesses and injuries to the colon, rectum, and anus. Our highly qualified surgeon, Farshad Abir, MD, has expertise in open as well a laparoscopic surgery. For more information or an appointment, please call 980-277-8950.

For more information about screening options, please click here.

Reference
American Cancer Society. Cancer Reference Information. Detailed Guide: Colon and Rectum Cancer. What are the risk factors for colorectal cancer? www.cancer.org. Accessed February 16, 2010.