It is not possible to say what causes bowel cancer in a single person. We do know there are some features that are more common in people who develop bowel cancer. These features are called ‘risk factors’.
But it is usually hard to be sure whether a risk factor contributed to the development of the cancer. And having one or more risk factors for bowel cancer does not mean that someone will definitely develop this cancer. In fact, many people with bowel cancer have no obvious risk factors.
Some factors can even lower your risk of developing bowel cancer.
Risk factors for bowel cancer you can change:
- being overweight
- lack of exercise and not being physically active
- eating a lot of processed and take-away foods
- drinking alcohol
- smoking.
Risk factors for bowel cancer you can’t change:
- age over 50 years – your risk increases with age
- history of inflammatory bowel disease
- strong family history of bowel cancer
- some gene mutations
- previously had polyps or adenomas in your bowel.
If you have any of these risk factors or you’re worried about your risk for bowel cancer, yarn with your doctor, nurse, Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander health worker.