What Causes Colon Cancer?

What causes colon cancer is a hard question because there can be so many contributing factors that lead to the development of colon cancer.

It all starts with pretty common problems, such as gas, bloating, constipation and nausea for example.

That's why it is often very difficult to detect whether it is actually colon cancer or not. Only after a proper diagnosis can doctors tell you what it is.

Keep in mind though that we all suffer from occasional bouts of gas, bloating and whatnot. So don't worry that it is colon cancer.

If it starts getting out of hand, for example if you're experiencing severe gas and bloating with nausea for a long time, then you should be worried and go see a doctor!

Let's look at what causes colon cancer. I am sure you'll be surprised to discover some of our regular lifestyle habits that contribute to the disease.

11 Common Causes of Colon Cancer

1. Age

Age can be a big factor in the development of colon cancer. But that doesn’t mean that age is the cause of colon cancer. It just means that after attaining 50, 1 out of 4 people are likely to develop polyps that lead to caner. Also with age, people tend to have a weakened immune system and that leads to various diseases.

2. Alcohol

Research has revealed that the risk associated with the development of colon cancer increases with the alcohol consumption. We all know that alcohol is very bad for our health and it's even worse for our colon and liver

3. Diet

There are a lot of processed, high-sugar foods you can eat that can cause colon cancer. Avoid everything that is unnatural. Go for organic meats, fruits, vegetables, and berries. They are great for constipation relief as well if you ever happen to get blocked.

4. Environment

Our environment also contributes to the development of colon cancer. For example heavy pollution can contribute to the formation of colon cancer.

5. Diabetes

Diabetes and the gastroparesis it sometimes causes can disable your colon function and lead to complications down the road. Dependence on insulin can increase the chances of colon cancer, reveals a study that was published in the journal Gastroentology. It is generally believed that diabetic patients are almost 40% more likely to develop colon cancer than people who do not have diabetes.

6. Family

If you have a family history of colon cancer it doesn't mean you will get it, but it increases your chances. Whether you are at a higher risk or not is dependent on the family member who had the disease and the age of development. Also think about the diet the family member ate when they developed colon cancer, was it healthy? Can you be healthier?

7. Genetics

It has been revealed by a study that almost 25% of the cases of colon cancer are caused due to some genetic link. For instance, the common genetic cause that leads to the development of colon cancer is mutation that leads to Familial Adenomatoud Polyposis or FAP and Hereditary Non-polyposis Colorectal Cancer or HNPCC.

8. Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Inflammatory Bowel Disease in particular is characterized by typical conditions like Chron’s disease and ulcerative colitis and can increase the chances of colon cancer in a patient.

9. Obesity

If you're obese your chance of getting colon cancer goes up, compared to people who are not obese.

10. Polyps

Colon cancers often develop from adenomatous colon polyps. Polyps, though benign most of the time, can become malignant and cause cancer.

11. Smoking

Smokers are more likely to develop colon cancer than non-smokers. As you inhale tobacco, carcinogens can enter your colon.