Colorectal cancer (CRC) is usually caused by a complex combination of factors rather than one single element. Several of these factors, however, appear to increase the likelihood of developing the disease.
Research suggests that most cases of CRC begin as adenomatous polyps. If the polyps are detected early, during screening, the condition can be treated before it becomes cancerous.
Some people develop colorectal cancer without being affected by any of the more typical risk factors.
Heredity and genetic predisposition are major identifiers. Research has shown that a family history of colorectal cancer in parents, brothers, sisters or children, especially where the person developed cancer before the age of 45, presents a high risk factor.
If you have a personal or family history of any of the following conditions, then you may have an increased likelihood of developing CRC:
Inflammatory Bowel Disease CRC may be a complication of inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), such as Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. While research has not been able to establish how much of a risk IBD is, what has been established is that the more severe the IBD and the longer the duration of the disease, the more likely the development of CRC. More information on both of these diseases can be found at Crohn's Disease and Ulcerative Colitis Information.
CRC may be a complication of inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), such as Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. While research has not been able to establish how much of a risk IBD is, what has been established is that the more severe the IBD and the longer the duration of the disease, the more likely the development of CRC. More information on both of these diseases can be found at Crohn's Disease and Ulcerative Colitis Information.
Familial adenomatous polyposis is an inherited disorder of the colon and rectum that significantly increases a person's risk of developing colorectal cancer. The offspring of an affected parent have a fifty percent increased chance of inheriting the specific gene that causes the problem.
Typically, people who suffer from FAP develop hundreds of polyps in the colon and rectum. Without early detection and preventive surgery, cancer is highly likely to develop in one or more of the polyps.
With the FAP condition, abnormal cells tend to grow slowly, over several years and "clump" eventually into pre-cancerous adenomas. Cancer caused by FAP is most likely to occur between the ages of thirty and fifty. By the time an adenoma becomes cancerous, it may have grown as large as four to five centimeters in diameter.
Findings from two recent studies conducted by the Howard Hughes Medical Institute suggest that carriers of the rare Bloom syndrome gene (BLM) have an increased likelihood of developing colorectal cancer. Although Bloom syndrome occurs in all ethnic populations, it is far more prevalent among the Jewish people of European descent known as Ashkenazi Jews.
Those Ashkenazi Jews with the genetic mutation are twice as likely to develop colon cancer as the rest of the US population.
Referring to these findings, Joanna Groden of the HHMI points out that "knowing your family history of disease is very important." She continues, "Even cancers that we think of as common and age-related can have a hereditary component".
Besides Bloom syndrome, the following factors have been identified as predictive of CRC:
The Obesity Factor Current research is looking at the links among obesity, diet and the risk of developing colorectal cancer. Although studies have shown that a diet high in fresh vegetables, fruit and fiber and low in animal fats is likely to reduce risk, further research is required to explain exactly what role these factors play.
Current research is looking at the links among obesity, diet and the risk of developing colorectal cancer. Although studies have shown that a diet high in fresh vegetables, fruit and fiber and low in animal fats is likely to reduce risk, further research is required to explain exactly what role these factors play.
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