This cancer starts as small growths on the inside of the colon.
There are several factors to determine your chances of getting colon cancer.
Some you can change, and some you can't.
The 10 Things That You Cannot Change Younger adults do get this type of cancer, but as you age, those risks increase.
More than 90 percent of the people diagnosed are over the age of 50.
If you have a history of colorectal polyps, colorectal cancer, if your polyps are large or if you have had a lot of them, your at an increased risk.
Even if you have all the polyps removed, the chances of developing new cancers in other parts of the colon or rectum are greater.
If cancer runs in the family, especially the immediate family, the age when they got it and how many other family members are affected, may also contribute to your chances.
If you suffer from IBD, inflammatory bowel disease, then you need to screen more often.
There is a 5 percent chance of you getting this disease from an inherited genetic form.
Racial, and ethnic backgrounds, especially among African Americans and Ashkenazi Jews, have the highest incidence.
Peutz-Jeghers syndrome, Turcot Syndrome, hereditary non-polyposis colon cancer all contribute to you getting this disease.
Six Things You Can Change Some things you can do to reduce your chances of getting this disease are simple.
A high fat, high calorie, and high protein diet increases your chances.
By exercising and eating more fruits and vegetables, you will improve your odds of not getting cancer.
If you smoke, stop, and if you drink, have no more than two alcoholic beverages per day.
Links to colon cancer have also been made to people who work the night shift or had previous treatments for other cancers.