John Stoddard Cancer Center

1221 Pleasant Street

Des Moines, Iowa 50309

p: 515-241-4141

p: 800-246-8347

Colorectal Cancer Risk Factors

The exact causes of colorectal cancer are unknown. However, there are certain risk factors associated with colorectal cancer:

• Age: More than 90 percent of people with colorectal cancer are diagnosed after age 50.
• Colorectal  polyps: Polyps are common in people over 50. Most are benign, or noncancerous, but some can become cancer.
• Family history of colorectal cancer.
• Genetic alterations
• Ulcerative colitis or  Crohn's disease
• Diet: Studies indicate diets high in fat, especially animal fat, and low in calcium, folate and fiber may increase one's chances of colorectal cancer.
• Cigarette smoking