In general, cancer related diseases are hard to cure. That is way it is best to prevent the disease than to treat it. But in order to be able to prevent colon cancer you have to know which the main risk factors in getting colon cancer are.

One of the risk factors is the age of the patient. 90% of the people diagnosed with colon cancer are over 50 years old. Colon cancer can occur in young people also, but such cases are kind of rare. However, African Americans seem to have a higher risk of developing colon cancer than others. Another risk factor is the personal history of colorectal cancer or polyps colony. People who have had colon cancer or colon polyps have a higher risk of developing this disease.



People with inflammatory bowel diseases have also a greater risk in getting colon cancer. Such conditions are also polyps family and Lynch syndrome, hereditary colon cancer polyps. So, family history of colorectal cancer or polyps colony is another risk. The existence of a relative who suffered from cancer augments the risk of colorectal cancers. The more relatives affected your risk is higher. Familial aggregation of cases may be the result of exposure to various carcinogens in the environment or the consequence of adopting an unhealthy lifestyle or certain dietary habits such as diet low in fiber and high in fat. Colon cancer and rectal cancer may be also associated with diet low in fiber and rich in fat and calories. Consumption of red meat and processed meat predispose to colon cancer development.

Inactivity can be also a risk factor of the disease. Lifestyle and physical inactivity may promote colon cancer, whereas regular exercise has the reverse effect.  People who suffer from insulin resistant diabetes may have a higher risk of developing colon cancer. Obese people may also have an increased risk of colon cancer and colon cancer mortality statistics compared with those of the non-obese persons sustain this. Smoking, as well as alcohol, increases the risk of rectal and colon cancer appearance. Regular use of alcohol predisposes to colorectal cancer.



Medical procedures can be another risk factor. Radiation therapy directed towards the abdominal cavity to treat other cancers forms may increase the risk of colon cancer.

In the colon cancer prevention process is very important to have a balanced diet, rich in vegetables, fruits and fiber. Diet high in fat should be completely avoided, and also the drinking of alcohol. You should not smoke, and if you ever did, quit smoking. Another risk factor is the presence of inflammatory diseases of the digestive tube. So, inactivity should be replaced with regular exercises every day. If you know that in your family someone had colon cancer you should be extra careful to these risk factors.