• Cancer
    • Colorectal Cancer
    • Lymphoma
    • Penile Cancer
    • Uterine Cancer
    • Breast Cancer
    • Stomach Cancer
    • Bone Cancer
    • Cervical Cancer
    • Brain Cancer
    • Leukemia (Blood Cells Cancer)
    • Endometrial Cancer
    • Neuroblastoma
    • Kidney Cancer
  • Brain
    • Stroke
    • Dyslexia
    • Down Syndrome
    • Cerebral Palsy
    • Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
    • Alcoholism
    • Autism
    • Multiple Sclerosis
    • Epilepsy
    • Schizophrenia
    • Insomnia
    • Alzheimer’s Disease
    • Parkinson’s Disease
    • Migraine
    • Phobia
  • Heart
    • Hypertension
    • Endocarditis
    • Coronary Heart Disease
    • Myocardial Infarction (Heart Attack)
    • Arrhythmia
    • Angina
    • Enlarged heart
    • Pericarditis
    • Venous Thromboembolism (VTE)
    • Peripheral Arterial Disease
    • Ventricular Septal Defect
    • Hypotension (Low Blood Pressure)
  • Kidney & URO
    • Chronic Kidney Disease
    • Diabetic Nephropathy
    • Urinary Tract Infection
    • Prostatitis
    • Urinary Incontinence
    • Enlarged Prostate
    • Blood in Urine (Hematuria)
    • Kidney Stones
    • Erectile Dysfunction
    • Cystitis
  • Eye
    • Myopia
    • Glaucoma
    • Dry Eyes
    • Conjunctivitis
    • Cataracts
    • Color Blindness
    • Macular Degeneration
    • Diabetic Retinopathy
    • Retinal Detachment
    • Keratoconus
  • Skin
    • Shingles
    • Rosacea
    • Eczema
    • Vitiligo
    • Psoriasis
    • Scabies
    • Acne
    • Dandruff
  • OBS/GYN
    • Uterine Fibroids
    • Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)
    • Vaginitis
    • Endometriosis
    • Preeclampsia
    • Menstruation (Period)
    • Ovarian Cyst
    • Pelvic Inflammatory Disease
  • GI Tract
    • Celiac Disease
    • Hemorrhoids
    • Achalasia
    • Diarrhea
    • Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GRED)
    • Diverticulitis
    • Liver Cirrhosis
    • Irritable Bowel Syndrome
    • Constipation
    • Appendicitis
    • Ulcerative Colitis
    • Gallstones
    • Crohn’s Disease
  • Bones & Joints
    • Osteoarthritis
    • Osteoporosis
    • Bone Cyst
    • Osteomyelitis (Bone Infection)
    • Sciatica
    • Fibromyalgia
    • Calcium Deficiency (Hypocalcemia)
    • Gout
    • Rickets in Children
    • Spinal Stenosis
  • Dental
    • Periodontal Disease
    • Dental Caries
    • Bad Breath
    • Sensitive Teeth
    • Dry Mouth
    • Supernumerary Teeth
    • Bruxism (Teeth Grinding)
    • Tooth Loss (Edentulism)
    • Impacted Tooth (Tooth Impaction)
  • Others
    • Hyperthyroidism
    • Rhinitis
    • Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
    • Thalassemia
    • Hepatitis
    • Sinusitis
    • Acromegaly
    • Health and Wellness
    • Achondroplasia
    • Diabetes Mellitus
    • Asthma
    • Coronavirus Disease (Covid-19)
    • Sleep Apnea
    • Tuberculosis

Write For Us

What's Hot

Physical and Psychological Symptoms of Bulimia

January 28, 2023

The Impact of Gonorrhea on Reproductive and Overall Health

January 28, 2023

The Role of Diet and Exercise in Managing Ankylosing Spondylitis and Tips for Maintaining a Healthy Lifestyle

January 27, 2023
Facebook Twitter YouTube
DiseaseFix – World's Largest Disease Information Center
  • Write For Us
Facebook Twitter YouTube
  • Cancer
    • Colorectal Cancer
    • Lymphoma
    • Penile Cancer
    • Uterine Cancer
    • Breast Cancer
    • Stomach Cancer
    • Bone Cancer
    • Cervical Cancer
    • Brain Cancer
    • Leukemia (Blood Cells Cancer)
    • Endometrial Cancer
    • Neuroblastoma
    • Kidney Cancer
  • Brain
    • Stroke
    • Dyslexia
    • Down Syndrome
    • Cerebral Palsy
    • Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
    • Alcoholism
    • Autism
    • Multiple Sclerosis
    • Epilepsy
    • Schizophrenia
    • Insomnia
    • Alzheimer’s Disease
    • Parkinson’s Disease
    • Migraine
    • Phobia
  • Heart
    • Hypertension
    • Endocarditis
    • Coronary Heart Disease
    • Myocardial Infarction (Heart Attack)
    • Arrhythmia
    • Angina
    • Enlarged heart
    • Pericarditis
    • Venous Thromboembolism (VTE)
    • Peripheral Arterial Disease
    • Ventricular Septal Defect
    • Hypotension (Low Blood Pressure)
  • Kidney & URO
    • Chronic Kidney Disease
    • Diabetic Nephropathy
    • Urinary Tract Infection
    • Prostatitis
    • Urinary Incontinence
    • Enlarged Prostate
    • Blood in Urine (Hematuria)
    • Kidney Stones
    • Erectile Dysfunction
    • Cystitis
  • Eye
    • Myopia
    • Glaucoma
    • Dry Eyes
    • Conjunctivitis
    • Cataracts
    • Color Blindness
    • Macular Degeneration
    • Diabetic Retinopathy
    • Retinal Detachment
    • Keratoconus
  • Skin
    • Shingles
    • Rosacea
    • Eczema
    • Vitiligo
    • Psoriasis
    • Scabies
    • Acne
    • Dandruff
  • OBS/GYN
    • Uterine Fibroids
    • Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)
    • Vaginitis
    • Endometriosis
    • Preeclampsia
    • Menstruation (Period)
    • Ovarian Cyst
    • Pelvic Inflammatory Disease
  • GI Tract
    • Celiac Disease
    • Hemorrhoids
    • Achalasia
    • Diarrhea
    • Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GRED)
    • Diverticulitis
    • Liver Cirrhosis
    • Irritable Bowel Syndrome
    • Constipation
    • Appendicitis
    • Ulcerative Colitis
    • Gallstones
    • Crohn’s Disease
  • Bones & Joints
    • Osteoarthritis
    • Osteoporosis
    • Bone Cyst
    • Osteomyelitis (Bone Infection)
    • Sciatica
    • Fibromyalgia
    • Calcium Deficiency (Hypocalcemia)
    • Gout
    • Rickets in Children
    • Spinal Stenosis
  • Dental
    • Periodontal Disease
    • Dental Caries
    • Bad Breath
    • Sensitive Teeth
    • Dry Mouth
    • Supernumerary Teeth
    • Bruxism (Teeth Grinding)
    • Tooth Loss (Edentulism)
    • Impacted Tooth (Tooth Impaction)
  • Others
    • Hyperthyroidism
    • Rhinitis
    • Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
    • Thalassemia
    • Hepatitis
    • Sinusitis
    • Acromegaly
    • Health and Wellness
    • Achondroplasia
    • Diabetes Mellitus
    • Asthma
    • Coronavirus Disease (Covid-19)
    • Sleep Apnea
    • Tuberculosis
DiseaseFix – World's Largest Disease Information Center
Home » Diseases and Conditions » Cancer » Colorectal Cancer » Causes of Colorectal Cancer

Causes of Colorectal Cancer

Tatheer Zehra Zaidi, M. PharmaBy Tatheer Zehra Zaidi, M. PharmaUpdated:February 21, 20214 Mins Read
Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Email
Causes of Colorectal Cancer
Share
Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Email

Causes

It is generally not clear what causes colorectal cancer. We only know that colorectal cancer (also known as bowel cancer or colon cancer or rectal cancer) occurs when the DNA of the healthy cells have problems.

Normally, healthy cells grow and divide in regularly to keep your body functioning normally. But when the DNA of a cell does not work well due to some damages (such as when it becomes cancerous), cells continue to divide. The uncontrolled division of cells forms a tumor.

Over times, this uncontrolled division can destroy the surrounding normal tissues and cells of the body and the cancer can even travel to other body tissues and organs.

Most cases of colorectal cancer first develop as polyps on the inner lining of the bowel/colon. However, the development of the polyps does not necessarily cause you cancer. Some may progress to cancers, some may not. Most of the polyps are non-cancerous.

Inherited gene mutations

Inherited gene mutations are linked to colorectal cancer. These mutations can be passed to generations. But only a small percentage of colorectal cancer cases are genetic. Also, inherited gene mutations do not make colorectal cancer inevitable. They only increase the risk of developing the cancer – though the increased risk is significant.

Common types of inherited colorectal cancers are:

Hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer (HNPCC): Lynch Syndrome is an example of hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer. People with HNPCC generally develop colorectal cancer before the age of 50 years.

Familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP): It is a rare disorder that causes you thousands of polyps to develop inside your colon and rectum. If the polyps remain untreated, FAP has a greatly increased risk of converting into cancer by the age 35.

The main risk factors for bowel cancer are outlined below.

Risk Factors

Age

Age is a risk factor and colorectal cancers generally develop in older people. About 1 in every 20 people has colorectal cancer. Almost 18 out of these 20 cases are diagnosed in people over the age of 60. But, colon cancer can occur in younger people too, though it is much less frequent.

Family history

If you have someone in your first degree relation (such as mother, father, brother, sister) suffering with colorectal cancer, there are higher chances that you may get it. If you are concerned that your family history puts you at higher risk, you should consult your doctor. He or she may recommend screening for you.

Your doctor may recommend you to a geneticist, who can help you assess the risk of developing the cancer due to genetic linkage and also suggest about the screening programs for testing purposes.

Race

African-Americans are at greater risk of developing colorectal cancer than people of other races.

Personal history of colorectal cancer

If you ever had colorectal cancer or adenomatous polyps, it is more likely that you will develop the cancer in future. A past case of colon cancer increases the risk of another colon cancer, particularly if your first cancer was diagnosed before the age of 50.

Diet

Colorectal cancer is considered to be associated with diet. A diet low in fiber and high in fat and calories increases the risk of developing it. Evidences suggest that a diet that is high in red and processed meat can also increase your risk of developing bowel cancer. Research in this area though shows mixed results.

Some scientists consider fat as the main culprit, while others believe protein is the main reason.

The Department of Health, UK advises people who eat more of (about 90g a day) red and processed meat reduce it to about 70g a day or even lesser.

People whose diets are high in fruits and vegetables are believed to be at a reduced risk of colon cancer.

Smoking

People who smoke are more likely to develop colorectal cancer, as well as other types of cancers.

Alcohol

Heavy consumption of alcohol (or sometimes even consumption of alcohol) increases the risk of colon cancer. Drinking of alcohol has been found to be associated with an increased risk of colorectal cancer in several reliable evidences.

Obesity

If you’re overweight, it is important that you lose weight. It may help lower your chances of getting the cancer and also improve your overall health.

Being overweight is considered to be linked to an increased risk of colorectal cancer, in particular, in men.

Sedentary Lifestyle / Physical Inactivity

People who are physically inactive or less active are at a higher risk of developing colorectal cancer. Getting regular exercises or increasing your physical activity may reduce the risk.

Diabetes

People who have diabetes and insulin resistance are at an increased risk of colorectal cancer.

Radiation therapy

Treatments involving radiations directed at the abdomen to treat various conditions such as cancers may increase the risk of colorectal cancer.

Tatheer Zehra Zaidi, M. Pharma
  • LinkedIn

Tatheer Zehra Zaidi is a clinical pharmacist and pharmacologist with a master’s degree in pharmacy practice. She aims to deliver a positive contribution in the field of healthcare and research. She received her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Jamia Hamdard New Delhi and then joined Spirant Communication Private LTD as a Medical content writer. Currently she is working at Maxinov Solutions Private LTD as a research associate and is associated with DiseaseFix as a medical content writer. Tatheer’s areas of interest include clinical research, clinical trial disclosure, and pharmacovigilance.

Related Posts

Real Life Experiences About Coping With Cancer

April 22, 2021

Vomiting Blood (Haematemesis): Why Do People Throw Up Blood?

April 21, 2021

Colon Cancer Pain (Bowel Cancer Pain): Characteristics and Its Management

April 21, 2021

Leave A Reply Cancel Reply

Don't Miss
Bulimia Nervosa

Physical and Psychological Symptoms of Bulimia

By Vishakha Yadav3 Mins Read

Bulimia is characterized by repetitive episodes of binge eating followed by compensatory behaviors such as purging, excessive exercise, or fasting. Physical symptoms may include weight fluctuations, gastrointestinal problems, dental problems, and electrolyte imbalances. Psychological symptoms may include low self-esteem, anxiety, depression, and distorted body image.

The Impact of Gonorrhea on Reproductive and Overall Health

January 28, 2023

The Role of Diet and Exercise in Managing Ankylosing Spondylitis and Tips for Maintaining a Healthy Lifestyle

January 27, 2023

Treatment Options for Gonorrhea

January 27, 2023
Latest Posts

Physical and Psychological Symptoms of Bulimia

January 28, 2023

The Impact of Gonorrhea on Reproductive and Overall Health

January 28, 2023

The Role of Diet and Exercise in Managing Ankylosing Spondylitis and Tips for Maintaining a Healthy Lifestyle

January 27, 2023

Treatment Options for Gonorrhea

January 27, 2023

Why Is My Pee Burning? 5 Reasons Urination Can Be Painful

January 25, 2023
About Us
About Us

DiseaseFix is primarily known as an online publisher of disease-centric medical information related to human health and well-being. The information is published as disease modules accessible to users from across the world free of cost.

Email Us: contact@diseasefix.com

Our Picks

Moving Forward After Breast Cancer Surgery

December 30, 2022

Five Things Patients Experience Immediately After Breast Cancer Diagnosis

April 23, 2021

Real Life Experiences About Coping With Cancer

April 22, 2021
Company

Disease Index

About Us

Our Team

Privacy Policy

Disclaimer

Contact Us

Write For Us

 

Facebook Twitter YouTube
© 2023 Diseasefix. All rights reserved.

Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.