Patient education: Lowering the risk of colon and rectal cancer (The Basics)

What is colorectal cancer? — 

This is cancer that affects the large intestine (also called the colon) or the rectum (figure 1). "Colorectal" is a shortened way of saying colon and rectal.

Colorectal cancer can be serious. But there are ways to lower your risk of getting it.

Who is at risk for colorectal cancer? — 

Certain things affect your risk. These are called "risk factors."

Some risk factors are not under your control. For example, your risk might be increased based on your:

●Age – Your risk goes up as you get older.

●Family – Having a parent or sibling who had colorectal cancer raises your risk.

●Race and sex

Certain health problems increase your risk. Examples include:

●Colon polyps

●Inflammatory bowel disease

●Obesity or excess body weight

●Diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol levels, or cystic fibrosis

●Past radiation treatment to the belly or pelvis

Certain behaviors also increase your risk. Examples include:

●Drinking alcohol

●Smoking

●Eating a diet that is high in fat, red meat, and processed meat and low in fiber

●Sedentary lifestyle (spending a lot of time sitting or lying down)

If you have risk factors for colorectal cancer, it's important to know, so you can try to lower your risk. Ways to do this are discussed more below.

How can I lower my risk of colorectal cancer? — 

There are several ways to lower your risk. These include:

●Screening – This is a way to check for problems in people who do not have any symptoms. Getting screened for colorectal cancer can detect polyps and cancers before they cause symptoms. Screening might also potentially lower the chances of dying from colorectal cancer. Your risk determines how often you should be screened and which test you should have. Your doctor can help you decide how and when to be screened.

●Lifestyle changes – Anyone can make healthy lifestyle changes to help lower their risk of colorectal cancer. These things can also help improve your overall health. Examples of important lifestyle changes include:

•Quit smoking, if you smoke.

•Get regular exercise (if your doctor says that it's safe) for at least 30 minutes a day on most days of the week.

•Lose weight, if you have excess body weight. Your doctor or nurse can help you do this in a healthy way.

•Eat a healthy diet with lots of fruits and vegetables. Eat more fish, and try to limit red meat and processed meats.

•Limit alcohol. Your risk increases the more you drink.

Some medicines used to treat other conditions can also help lower your risk of colorectal cancer. For example, in certain people at high risk for colorectal cancer, aspirin and other nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs ("NSAIDs") might protect against colon polyps. However, talk to your doctor first about whether you should take any medicines regularly.

More on this topic

Patient education: Colon and rectal cancer (The Basics)
Patient education: Colon and rectal cancer screening (The Basics)
Patient education: Colon polyps (The Basics)
Patient education: Colonoscopy (The Basics)

Patient education: Colon and rectal cancer (Beyond the Basics)
Patient education: Screening for colorectal cancer (Beyond the Basics)
Patient education: Colon polyps (Beyond the Basics)
Patient education: Colonoscopy (Beyond the Basics)