Colorectal cancer risk factors you can change
- Being overweight or obese. …
- Not being physically active. …
- Certain types of diets. …
- Smoking. …
- Alcohol use. …
- Being older. …
- A personal history of colorectal polyps or colorectal cancer. …
- A personal history of inflammatory bowel disease.
Similarly, at what age can you get colon cancer?
Colorectal cancer can occur in young adults and teenagers, but the majority of colorectal cancers occur in people older than 50. For colon cancer, the average age at the time of diagnosis for men is 68 and for women is 72. For rectal cancer, it is age 63 for both men and women.
In this regard, does colon cancer spread fast?
But if a tumor develops into a carcinoma with the ability to metastasize, it will progress to metastasis quickly. This transformation occurs within about two years, before another mutation can develop.
Does smoking cause colon cancer?
When you smoke, you are increasing your risk for colon cancer. Inhaling chemicals and toxins into your body invites free radicals to damage DNA and mutate healthy cells. Free radicals can cause the development of precancerous polyps in the large intestine, which can become cancerous and eventually cause colon cancer.
How long until colon cancer kills you?
Overall, 7 to 8 in every 10 people with bowel cancer will live at least one year after diagnosis. More than half of those diagnosed will live at least another 10 years. Every year, around 16,000 people die as a result of bowel cancer.
What are the early warning signs of colon cancer?
Signs and symptoms of colon cancer include:
- A persistent change in your bowel habits, including diarrhea or constipation or a change in the consistency of your stool.
- Rectal bleeding or blood in your stool.
- Persistent abdominal discomfort, such as cramps, gas or pain.
- A feeling that your bowel doesn’t empty completely.
What food is bad for your colon?
Inflammatory Foods May Increase Colon Cancer Risk
- Refined starches, such as packaged cookies and crackers.
- Added sugar, such as that in sodas and sweet drinks.
- Saturated fats, including processed meats like hot dogs; whole milk and cheese; and fried foods.
- Trans fats, including margarine and coffee creamers.
What foods cause polyps in the colon?
fatty foods, such as fried foods. red meat, such as beef and pork. processed meat, such as bacon, sausage, hot dogs, and lunch meats.
Where does colon cancer usually start?
Most colorectal cancers start as a growth on the inner lining of the colon or rectum. These growths are called polyps. Some types of polyps can change into cancer over time (usually many years), but not all polyps become cancer.
Who is most likely to get colon cancer?
Age. The disease is most common in people older than 50, and the chance of getting colorectal cancer goes up with each decade past age 40. Cancers are very rare in people younger than 40, except those who have a strong family history of the disease.