Risks
- Personal family history of colorectal cancer or polyps
- IBS or Inflammatory Bowel Disease
- Lifestyle factors such as lack of physical exercise, a low fiber diet, being overweight or obese
- Alcohol and tobacco consumption
- Colorectal cancer is on the rise in people under 35. This is especially true in the Black population.
Preventative Measures
Although no cancer is preventable, it’s important to get screened and learn your family history.
There are also risk factors individuals can control:
There are also risk factors individuals can control:
- Not smoking or using tobacco products
- Maintaining a healthy weight
- Eating a plant-based diet
- Being physically active
- Limiting red meat
- Avoiding processed meat
- Limiting alcohol consumption
Resources
American Society of Clinical Oncology, A. S. (2016). The State of Cancer Care in America, 2016: A Report by the American Society of Clinical Oncology. National Academies Press .
CDC. (2021, March 2). Colorectal (Colon) Cancer. Retrieved from file://localhost/www.cdc.gov/ https/::www.cdc.gov:cancer:colorectal:basic_info:what-is-colorectal-cancer.htm
DeSantis C, ". a. (2019). Cancer statistics for African Americans, 2019 https://doi.org/10.3322/caac.21555. A Cancer Journal for Clinicians .
American Society of Clinical Oncology, A. S. (2016). The State of Cancer Care in America, 2016: A Report by the American Society of Clinical Oncology. National Academies Press .
CDC. (2021, March 2). Colorectal (Colon) Cancer. Retrieved from file://localhost/www.cdc.gov/ https/::www.cdc.gov:cancer:colorectal:basic_info:what-is-colorectal-cancer.htm
DeSantis C, ". a. (2019). Cancer statistics for African Americans, 2019 https://doi.org/10.3322/caac.21555. A Cancer Journal for Clinicians .