'I'm a doctor – these 5 things may increase your risk of colorectal cancer'

A colorectal surgeon has shared the top five factors that can increase your risk of getting colorectal cancer, which includes cancers in the colon and rectum.

Bowel cancer, which includes cancers in the colon and rectum, is the fourth most common cancer in the UK. Almost 44,000 people are diagnosed with bowel cancer every year in the UK. However, according to Cancer Research UK, 54% of bowel cancer cases in the UK are preventable.

Dr Cedrek McFadden, is a colorectal surgeon and medical adviser to the Colorectal Cancer Alliance, which shares health advice with its 27,000 followers on its Instagram page. He has shared five factors that can increase your risk for colorectal cancer, and what you can do to decrease your risks.

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Genes

Having a close relative, such as a parent, sibling or child, with colorectal cancer can roughly double your risk of developing the disease, according to studies.

This is because of certain gene mutations inherited through families, which can significantly increase the risk of getting it yourself.

“If a close relative has had colorectal cancer, you’re at higher risk. Make sure your doctor knows about it,” McFadden told the NY Post.

Age

“While colorectal cancer can occur at any age, the risk increases significantly after 50 (though we’re seeing younger cases more often now),” McFadden shared.

More than nine out of ten new cases (94%) are diagnosed in people over the age of 50. But bowel cancer can affect anyone of any age. More than 2,600 new cases are diagnosed in people under the age of 50 every year, Bowel Cancer UK said.

Food

“Eating a lot of red or processed meats can increase your risk. Add more fibre-rich fruits, veggies and whole grains to your plate,” McFadden advised.

In the UK, 13% of colorectal cancer cases are caused by eating processed meat. The World Health Organisation has previously classified processed meats as “carcinogenic to humans”, claiming that “sufficient evidence from epidemiological studies that eating processed meat causes colorectal cancer.”

Instead, people are urged to eat more fibrous foods, as it feeds beneficial bacteria in the gut, slows down digestion and promotes regular bowel movements, which in turn can help prevent colorectal cancer.

Lifestyle

There are several lifestyle changes people can do in order to decrease their risk of getting colorectal cancer. These include stop smoking, decreasing alcohol consumption and living an active lifestyle, Dr McFadden said.

Being overweight or obese also increases colorectal cancer risk, as 11% of bowel cancer cases in the UK are caused by overweight and obesity. This is because of the fact that excess body fat causes chronic inflammation that can disrupt normal cell growth.

Chronic illness

Inflammation from excess body fat isn't the only inflammation that increase people's risk at getting colorectal cancer.

“Inflammatory bowel diseases like Crohn’s or ulcerative colitis put you at higher risk,” McFadden shared.

Like obesity, these illnesses cause persistent inflammation in the intestines that can lead to cellular changes that may become cancerous.

People with Type 2 diabetes also have a higher risk of colorectal cancer as high insulin levels also can promote the growth of cancer cells.