What Causes Colon CancerEver wondered what causes colon cancer? A colon tumor is caused by more than one risk factor. However, experts believe that lack of physical activity and an unhealthy diet are the most important causes of colon cancer. Another is polyps that grow in the walls of your bowel. They can become malignant. Unavoidable Causes of Colon TumorAgingA malignant tumor is more likely to develop in your colon if you are above 50. In fact, 90 percent of cases are diagnosed among those who are more than 50 years old. Family history Having first degree relatives with the disease gives you a lifetime risk of developing it by 18%. But only 15% of bowel tumor cases are linked to your family’s history or predisposition. Genetics Five percent of bowel tumor cases are due to hereditary cancers syndrome. Meaning, it is very possible for a person to inherit genetic mutations from one or both of your parents. These DNA mutations may lead to formation of polyps. If you have the hereditary tumor genes, you are very likely to develop large number of polyps in your bowel at a young age. You also face a very high risk of developing the disease early in life and are at risk for the other types of tumor. The two types of inherited bowel cancers are:
Controllable Colon Tumor CausesHigh-fat dietA diet that is high on fat especially fat from red meat, is positively linked to the growth of polyps in the bowel. 80% of the disease are considered sporadic cancers -- one of the basic kinds of cancer. They are mainly due to a somatic mutation. Read more: Unhealthy Foods that Cause Cancer Polyps What causes colon cancer to develop is the presence of precancerous polyps in the bowel. That is why removing all polyps including those that are benign is important. They are removed surgically to prevent them from becoming cancerous. Personal History of Tumor If you survived colorectal cancer in the past, you still face a higher risk of having it the second time around. Women with a history of breast, ovarian or endometrial cancers are also more susceptible to tumors in the bowel. Ulcerative Colitis Chronic ulcerative colitis or Crohn's disease is inflammation of the inner lining of your bowel. This condition can result to complication and eventually, to cancer. If you experience persistent or frequent ulcerative colitis, your risk for the disease is higher. Obesity Tumors in the bowel develop more frequently among obese men and women. Here's an article explaining why obesity is a risk factor: Breast, Colon and Endometrial Cancers: Effects of Obesity Cigarette smoking If you smoke, you have a higher risk of developing polyps in your bowel and may lead to what causes colon cancer. Read more: Dangers and Effects of Smoking and Second Hand Smoke Related Articles: Return from What Causes Colon Cancer to Cancer of the Colon
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