Surviving Cancer

Cancer Prevention

Colorectal

Avoiding cancer risk factors such as smoking, being overweight, and lack of exercise may help prevent certain cancers. Increasing protective factors such as quitting smoking, eating a healthy diet, and exercising may also help prevent some cancers. Talk to your doctor or other health care professional about how you might lower your risk of cancer.

The following risk factors may increase the risk of colorectal cancer:

Age
The risk of colorectal cancer begins to increase after age 40 and continues to increase as you get older.

Obesity and lack of exercise
Obesity is linked to an increased risk of colorectal cancer. A lifestyle that does not include regular exercise may also be linked to an increased risk of colorectal cancer.

Smoking
Smoking cigarettes is linked to an increased risk of developing colorectal adenomas (noncancerous tumors) and colorectal cancer. Cigarette smokers who have had surgery to remove colorectal adenomas have an increased risk for the adenomas to recur (come back).

Alcohol
Drinking alcoholic beverages may increase the risk of colorectal cancer.

The following protective factors may decrease the risk of colorectal cancer:

Hormone replacement therapy
Studies have shown that hormone replacement therapy (HRT) that includes both estrogen and progesterone lowers the risk of colorectal cancer in postmenopausal women. HRT with estrogen alone does not lower the risk. However, hormone use may increase the risk of breast cancer, heart disease, and blood clots.

Polyp removal
Most colorectal polyps are adenomas, which may develop into cancer. The removal of polyps in the colon and rectum may lower the risk of colorectal cancer. Bleeding and infection sometimes occur after polyps are removed during colonoscopy or sigmoidoscopy.

The effect of the following factors on the risk of colorectal cancer is not known:

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
It is not known if the use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (such as aspirin, ibuprofen, and naproxen) lowers the risk of colorectal cancer. Studies have shown that nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) lower the risk of colorectal adenomas (noncancerous tumors), but it is not clear if this results in a lower risk of cancerous tumors in the colon and rectum. The use of NSAIDs increases the risk of heart attack and stroke and some can cause bleeding in the stomach and intestines.

Vitamins
It is not known if taking vitamin D or high doses of folic acid lowers the risk of colorectal cancer.

Diet
It is not known if a diet low in fat and high in fiber, fruits, and vegetables lowers the risk of colorectal cancer.

Some studies have shown that a diet high in fat, proteins, calories, and meat increases the risk of colorectal cancer, but other studies have not.

For more information on diet and health, see the Fruits and Veggies website.

Statins
Studies have not shown that taking statins (cholesterol -lowering drugs) affects the risk of colorectal cancer.

Source:  National Cancer Institute