Who are at Risk of Colorectal Cancer?

* Age. About 90% of people diagnosed with colon cancer are older than 50.   Colon cancer can occur in younger people, but it occurs much less frequently.

 * Family history of colorectal cancer, or polyps in the colon -  If you have a positive family history of colorectal cancer, you are more likely to develop this disease.

* Inflammatory bowel disease -  A person who has a condition that causes inflammation of the colon such as ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease  for many years is at an increased risk. Fortunately, these are not common in the Philippines.

* Personal history of cancer - A person who already had colorectal cancer may develop colorectal cancer a second time. Also, a woman with a history of  cancer of the ovary, uterus, or breasts are at a somewhat higher risk of developing the disease.

* Diet - Colon cancer and rectal cancer maybe associated with diet low in fiber and high in fats, calories, red meat and processed foods.

* Sedentary lifestyle

* Diabetes

* Obesity

* Smoking