For instance, some evidence links a reduced risk of polyps and colon cancer to regular use of aspirin or aspirin-like drugs. Some medications have been found to reduce the risk of precancerous polyps or colon cancer. Aim to lose weight slowly by increasing the amount of exercise you get and reducing the number of calories you eat.Ĭolon cancer prevention for people with a high risk If you need to lose weight, ask your doctor about healthy ways to achieve your goal. If you are at a healthy weight, work to maintain your weight by combining a healthy diet with daily exercise. Also, talk to your doctor before starting any exercise program. If you've been inactive, start slowly and build up gradually to 30 minutes. Try to get at least 30 minutes of exercise on most days. Talk to your doctor about ways to quit that may work for you. If you choose to drink alcohol, limit the amount of alcohol you drink to no more than one drink a day for women and two for men.
Drink alcohol in moderation, if at all. Choose a variety of fruits and vegetables so that you get an array of vitamins and nutrients. Fruits, vegetables and whole grains contain vitamins, minerals, fiber and antioxidants, which may play a role in cancer prevention. Eat a variety of fruits, vegetables and whole grains. You can take steps to reduce your risk of colon cancer by making changes in your everyday life. Lifestyle changes to reduce your risk of colon cancer Talk about your options with your doctor, and together you can decide which tests are appropriate for you. Several screening options exist - each with its own benefits and drawbacks. But people with an increased risk, such as those with a family history of colon cancer, should consider screening sooner. Radiation therapy directed at the abdomen to treat previous cancers increases the risk of colon cancer.ĭoctors recommend that people with an average risk of colon cancer consider colon cancer screening around age 45. Heavy use of alcohol increases your risk of colon cancer. People who smoke may have an increased risk of colon cancer. People who are obese have an increased risk of colon cancer and an increased risk of dying of colon cancer when compared with people considered normal weight. People with diabetes or insulin resistance have an increased risk of colon cancer. Getting regular physical activity may reduce your risk of colon cancer. People who are inactive are more likely to develop colon cancer. Some studies have found an increased risk of colon cancer in people who eat diets high in red meat and processed meat. Research in this area has had mixed results. Colon cancer and rectal cancer may be associated with a typical Western diet, which is low in fiber and high in fat and calories. If more than one family member has colon cancer or rectal cancer, your risk is even greater. You're more likely to develop colon cancer if you have a blood relative who has had the disease. The most common inherited syndromes that increase colon cancer risk are familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) and Lynch syndrome, which is also known as hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer (HNPCC). 
Only a small percentage of colon cancers are linked to inherited genes. Some gene mutations passed through generations of your family can increase your risk of colon cancer significantly.
Inherited syndromes that increase colon cancer risk. Chronic inflammatory diseases of the colon, such as ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease, can increase your risk of colon cancer. If you've already had colon cancer or noncancerous colon polyps, you have a greater risk of colon cancer in the future. A personal history of colorectal cancer or polyps. African-Americans have a greater risk of colon cancer than do people of other races. The rates of colon cancer in people younger than 50 have been increasing, but doctors aren't sure why. Colon cancer can be diagnosed at any age, but a majority of people with colon cancer are older than 50. Risk factorsįactors that may increase your risk of colon cancer include: And cancerous cells can travel to other parts of the body to form deposits there (metastasis). With time, the cancer cells can grow to invade and destroy normal tissue nearby. As the cells accumulate, they form a tumor. But when a cell's DNA is damaged and becomes cancerous, cells continue to divide - even when new cells aren't needed. Healthy cells grow and divide in an orderly way to keep your body functioning normally. A cell's DNA contains a set of instructions that tell a cell what to do. In general, colon cancer begins when healthy cells in the colon develop changes (mutations) in their DNA. 
Request an Appointment at Mayo Clinic Causesĭoctors aren't certain what causes most colon cancers.
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