Are you aware of 9 things that increase the risk of colorectal cancer?

Colorectal cancer, also known as colon and rectal cancer, can affect anyone. Sometimes, it's hard for doctors to say exactly why it happens. However, there are now many factors that increase the risk of developing this disease. So today, let's talk about these risk factors that may affect your life. It's important to be aware of these.

What are the factors that increase the risk of this cancer?

Let's now look at these points in detail one by one. Perhaps one or more of these may apply to you as well. So read carefully.

1. Age

This is the main risk factor. This disease is most common after the age of 50. The risk of developing this cancer increases gradually with each passing decade after the age of 30. But this does not mean that younger people cannot develop it. If someone in the family has had this disease severely, sometimes there is a small chance of developing it even in someone under the age of 30.

2. Gender

In general, men are at slightly higher risk of developing colon and rectal cancer than women. Colon cancer can affect both sexes equally, but rectal cancer is especially common in men .

3. Polyps in the colon

This is a very important point. Simply put, polyps are small, growth-like growths that form on the inner wall of our colon or rectum. Most of these are not cancerous at first. However, over time, some types can turn into cancer.

The best thing is that these polyps can be detected and removed before they become cancerous through timely medical examinations (for example, a colonoscopy).

4. Your Health History

Your health history also affects this.

• If you have had this cancer before: If you have had colon cancer before and been cured, there is a small chance that it will come back. The risk is especially high if you were first diagnosed before age 60. This is true even if you have had polyps removed in the past.
• Other bowel diseases: If you have a long-term condition that causes inflammation in the bowel, such as ulcerative colitis or Crohn's disease , your risk of cancer is higher.

5. Family History

This is also something to be very concerned about. If one of your close relatives (mother, father, brother, sister, or child) has had this cancer, you are at higher risk of developing it too.

• If that relative was diagnosed with the disease before the age of 45, the risk is even higher.
• If several family members have this cancer or polyps, that is also a strong risk factor.

Also, some genetic conditions that are passed down from generation to generation increase the risk. For example, if conditions like `(Familial Adenomatous Polyposis)`, `(MYH-associated polyposis)`, and `(Hereditary Non-polyposis Colorectal Cancer)` run in the family, not only colon cancer but also other types of cancer can develop.

How does our lifestyle affect it?

Our daily habits also have a big impact on this. These are things we can change, so it's worth being aware of them.

What do we do now?

If you have more than one of these risk factors, you are more likely to develop polyps or cancer. But don't panic. The most important thing is to talk openly with your doctor about this. Tell him or her about your risks. Then, your doctor will inform you about ways to reduce your risk and when you should get medical tests.

Also, if you have any symptoms like rectal bleeding or changes in bowel habits (e.g., straining to defecate, persistent constipation) , don't just ignore it. In such cases, be sure to seek medical advice.