Colorectal Cancer Risk Factors

The risk of developing colorectal cancer increases with advancing age. More than 90% of cases occur in people aged 50 or older.¹ Other risk factors include having—²

• Inflammatory bowel disease.Inflammatory bowel disease.
• A personal or family historyfamily history of colorectal cancer or colorectal polyps.
• A genetic syndrome such as familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP)familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) or hereditary non-polyposis colorectal cancer (Lynch syndrome).hereditary non-polyposis colorectal cancer (Lynch syndrome).

Lifestyle factorsLifestyle factors that may contribute to increased risk of colorectal cancer include—

• Lack of regular physical activity.physical activity.³⁴⁶
• Low fruit and vegetable intake.³⁵⁶
• A low-fiber and high-fat diet.diet.³
• Overweight and obesity.Overweight and obesity.³⁶
• AlcoholAlcohol consumption.³
• Tobacco use.Tobacco use.³⁶⁷