Risk Factors

Factors that appear to increase the risk of developing colorectal cancer are:

• Eat a diet that includes meat with high animal fat content. 
• Eat little fibre, fruits and vegetables. 
• Have polyps on the bowel wall. Polyps may become cancerous over time, so removing them is an important way to prevent colorectal cancer. 
• Are more than 50 years old (men and women). 
• Have a family history of the disease, as in having a close relative who has had colorectal cancer or other cancers such as uterine or stomach cancer. 
• Have family history of polyposis or ulcerative colitis. 
• Lack of physical activity.