Colorectal Cancer Risk Factors
The risk of developing colorectal cancer increases with advancing age. More than 90% of cases occur in people aged 50 or older.1 Other risk factors include having—2
- Inflammatory bowel disease.
- A personal or family history of colorectal cancer or colorectal polyps.
- A genetic syndrome such as familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) or hereditary non-polyposis colorectal cancer (Lynch syndrome).
Lifestyle factors that may contribute to increased risk of colorectal cancer include—
References
1Ries LAG, Eisner MP, Kosary CL, Hankey BF, Miller BA, Clegg L, Mariotto A, Feuer EJ, Edwards BK (eds). SEER Cancer Statistics Review, 1975–2002, National Cancer Institute. Bethesda, MD, based on November 2004 SEER data submission, posted to the SEER Web site 2005.
2National Institutes of Health. Colorectal Cancer (PDQ): Treatment.
3National Institutes of Health. Colorectal Cancer (PDQ): Prevention.
4Vainio H, Bianchini F, eds. IARC Handbooks of Cancer Prevention, Vol 6: Weight Control and Physical Activity. Lyon, France: IARC Press; 2002.
5Vainio H, Bianchini F, eds. IARC Handbooks of Cancer Prevention, Vol 8: Fruit and Vegetables. Lyon, France: IARC Press; 2003.
6Curry S, Byers T, Hewitt M, eds. Fulfilling the Potential of Cancer Prevention and Early Detection. Washington, DC: National Academies Press; 2003.
7The health consequences of smoking: a report of the Surgeon General. Atlanta, Ga.: Dept. of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Office on Smoking and Health; Washington, D.C.
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