Colon Cancer
How
Many People Get Colorectal Cancer?
Other
than skin cancer, colorectal cancer is the third most common
cancer found in men and women in this country. The American
Cancer Society estimates that there will be about 106,680
new cases of colon cancer and 41,930 new cases of rectal
cancer in 2006 in the United States. Combined, they will
cause about 55,170 deaths.
The
death rate from colorectal cancer has been going down for
the past 15 years. One reason is that there are fewer cases.
Thanks to colorectal cancer screening, polyps can be found
and removed before they turn into cancer. And colorectal
cancer can also be found earlier when it is easier to cure.
Treatments have improved as well.
Overview:
Colon and Rectum Cancer
What Causes Colorectal Cancer?
While
we do not know the exact cause of most colorectal cancer,
there are certain known risk factors. A risk factor is something
that increases a person's chance of getting a disease. Some
risk factors, like smoking, can be controlled. Others, such
as a person's age, can't be changed. Researchers have found
several risk factors that increase a person's chance of
getting colorectal cancer.
Risk
Factors for Colorectal Cancer
Age:
Your chance of having colorectal cancer goes up after age
50. More than 9 out of 10 people found to have colorectal
cancer are older than 50.
Having
had colorectal cancer before: Even if a colorectal cancer
has been completely removed, new cancers could start in
other areas of your colon and rectum.
Having
a history of polyps: Some types of polyps increase the risk
of colorectal cancer, especially if they are large or if
there are many of them.
Having
a history of bowel disease: Two diseases called ulcerative
colitis and Crohn’s disease increase the risk of colon cancer.
In these diseases, the colon is inflamed over a long period
of time and there may be ulcers in its lining. If you have
either of these, you should start being tested at a young
age and have the tests often.
Family
history of colorectal cancer: If you have close relatives
who have had this cancer, your risk is increased. This is
especially true if the family member got the cancer before
age 60. People with a family history of colorectal cancer
should talk to their doctors about how often to have screening
tests.
Certain
family syndromes: A syndrome is a group of symptoms. For
example, in some families, members tend to get a type of
syndrome that involves having hundreds of polyps in their
colon or rectum. Cancer often develops in one or more of
these polyps.
If
your doctor tells you that you have a condition that makes
you or your family members more likely to get colorectal
cancer, you will probably need to begin colon cancer testing
at a younger age and you might think about genetic counseling.
Ethnic
background: Jews of Eastern European descent (Ashkenazi
Jews) have a higher rate of colon cancer.
Diet:
A diet high in fat, especially fat from animal sources,
can increase the risk of colorectal cancer.
Lack
of exercise: People who are not active have a higher risk
of colorectal cancer.
Overweight:
Being very overweight increases a person's colorectal cancer
risk.
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The information on this page has been extracted from
http://www.cancer.org/docroot/CRI/content/
CRI_2_2_1X_How_Many_People_Get_Colorectal_Cancer.asp?sitearea=
