Bowel Cancer

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About bowel cancer - risk factors

Risk factors

Everyone is at risk of bowel cancer. The risk is greater however if you:

• Are aged 50 years and over
• Have a family history of bowel cancer or polyps*
• Have a previous history of polyps or adenomas (precancerous polyps)
• Have had an inflammatory bowel disease such as Chron's disease or chronic ulcerative colitis
• Have an unhealthy lifestyle - a lack of physical activity and poor diet
• Are obese or overweight
• Smoke and / or have a high level of alcohol consumption
• Have Type II diabetes

If you are at an increased risk of developing bowel cancer, it does not necessarily mean you will develop the disease. However, it is recommended that you discuss your individual risk with your doctor.

Remember - most people who develop bowel cancer have no family members with the disease.

*Please note: All family history should be discussed with your doctor. You are considered to have a moderately incraesed risk of bowel cancer if: a) one first degree relative (eg. parent, sibling, or child) was diagnosed with bowel cancer before the age of 55, OR b) two or more relatives on the same side of the family have had bowel cancer.