Causes of Colon Cancer
The digestive system, is made up of the large intestine and the small intestine. The large intestine is where waste products are stored after digesting in the small intestine. Colon cancer begins when the cells in the lining begin to grow abnormally. There are a number of causes of colon cancer, and we will discuss a few of them here.
Some causes of colon cancer are genetics. If you have someone in your family that has been diagnosed with colon cancer, the risk for other family members are much higher. This is a warning to you and your family to be checked earlier than the typical recommendation of 50 years old, and have regular checkups thereafter.
The leading cause of colon cancer are by polyps growing inside the colon wall. The polyps are the abnormal cell growths that, if left undetected and removed, will become cancerous. These cells, can spread into other parts of the body, creating new tumors to grow and spread. Once colon cancer has spread, it is very difficult to cure, therefore, an early diagnosis is crucial.
Diets high in fat and low in fiber are also among the leading causes of colon cancer. There has been many studies done that show those with colon cancer have had a diet high in fat compared to those free of cancer. It is believed that the fat metabolism actually breaks down, which causes carcinogens to form in the body causing cancer. These chemicals promote the growth of these abnormal cells. If you are eating a diet filled with fiber rich vegetables and fruits, as well as some delicious whole grains, then you have a great diet to ward off the causes of colon cancer.
As mentioned earlier, family history plays a very important role in your risk for developing colon cancer. Any family that has a first degree relative that has been diagnosed, has a very high risk of developing colon cancer. But there are cases that have no history in the family whatsoever.
Some other causes of colon cancer are genetic disorders, who seem to have this genetic predisposition causing the development of polyps. These have even been seen in children, increasing the child’s risk of colon cancer.
