In my last article I talked about some of the risk factors for bowel cancer and indeed, for other types of cancer as well.
The main risk factor is age.
- 83% of people who get bowel cancer are over the age of 60 yrs.
- Poor diet.
- Lack of exercise.
- Smoking.
- Being over the age of 50. (risk increases with age)
- You have a family history of bowel cancer.
- If you have ever had Crohn's disease or Ulcerative colitis.
- If you have previously had polyps called Adenomas in your bowel.
- Alcohol consumption.
- Obesity.
We've covered the first three, let's now look at the remaining ones:
Smoking. Highly addictive, this being the reason why even the most intelligent people do it despite the adverse publicity it receives. Along with excessive use of alcohol, smoking would have to be the biggest, legally self inflicted, threat to anyone's health known to humankind. You may not get cancer because you smoke, however new research shows it increases your risk level significantly.
Risk increases with age. We've talked about that in my previous article. Just be aware, the older you are the higher the risk factor.
A family history of bowel cancer can be a risk factor under some of the following circumstances.
A close family relative is a father, mother, brother or sister and are sometimes referred to as first degree relatives.
- If you have one relative with this disease on one or both sides of the family it increase your risk.
- If you have one elderly relative (over 60yrs) who develops bowel cancer this is not significant.
- There is a risk that parents can pass on faulty genes that would make the child at high risk. This usually happens when two people from the same side of the family have bowel cancer.
- In another scenario, the risk is increased if one close family member develops bowel cancer below the age of 45yrs of if there is a separate case of bowel cancer and womb cancer on the same side of the family.
- About 75% to 80% of bowel cancer patients do not have relatives with this disease.
If you have had or have Crohn's disease or Ulcerative colitis there is a greater risk of developing bowel cancer. The reasons are not entirely clear but the information is. If you have either of these two conditions you should be screened regularly.
What is Crohn's disease?
- It's an inflammatory disease of the digestive system which may affect any part of the gastrointestinal tract from the mouth to the anus. The precise cause is unknown.
What is Ulcerative Colitis?
- Ulcerative colitis is a disease that causes inflammation and sores in the lining of the rectum and colon. These are referred to as ulcers. Ulcers form where inflammation has killed the cells that usually line the colon As a result, the ulcers bleed and produce pus. Inflammation in the colon also causes the colon to empty frequently, causing diarrhoea.
What is an Adenoma?
- They are a collection of growths and can grow from many different organs.
- They are benign, though over time can become malignant if not removed.
- Even though they are benign, they can cause serious problems by compressing tissue around the local area and producing hormones in an unregulated manner.
If you are diagnosed with the above, get the best medical advice possible regarding treatment and an ongoing regime of regular checkups.
Alcohol consumption.
Excessive alcohol consumption is regarded as a significant contributing cause of bowel cancer. It is recommended that no more than two standard drinks for males and one for females be consumed in any one day.
Obesity.
Obesity has been linked to bowel cancer. It has also been found that people who are obese are less likely to get an accurate diagnosis with a colonoscopy due to the increased difficulty in cleaning out the bowel sufficiently for a clear picture. In this case some polyps may be overlooked.
It is also worth noting that people with diabetes have a higher risk of developing bowel cancer due to their condition. It's not known why at this stage.
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