What is the Factors Cause Colon Cancer?

Age: Colorectal cancer are more common in older people who more than 50 years old (Elliot J. Coups et al., 2007). Increased the risk of colorectal cancer is due to combination of increased and prolonged exposure to carcinogens and decreased in immune system.

Genetic Inheritance: Some families have significantly higher risk to develop colorectal cancer. They might have gene mutation and inherit to next generation.

Smoking: Smoking is one of the factors that cause colorectal cancer. For the research of Edoardo Botteri el at., the report showed that smokers have higher chances than non-smokers to get colorectal cancer. Smoking was associated with an absolute risk increase of 6.0 deaths per 100 000 person – years. (Edoardo Botteri el at., 2008)

Geographic Variation: The risk of colorectal cancer varies according to where people live. This geographic variation in colorectal cancer risk might be caused by a combination of genetics, diet, and environment. For example, Japan people have low risk to get colorectal cancer. But Japan people who immigrate to United States, the risk to get colorectal cancer increases, and might equal to the rest of the American population. It is because when these people immigrate to United States, the foods that they consume and environment that they live are changed which same as American population. (Mark H. Beer et al., 2003)

Bacteria and Viruses Infection: Several types of viruses and bacteria will cause cancer in humans. That is not surprising that there are many studies have evaluated the association between colorectal cancer and infectious agents which produced by viruses and bacteria. Besides that, inflammation that caused by infection also increases the risk of colorectal cancer. Ulcerative colitis is inflammatory bowel disease which can result in colorectal cancer. Ulcers form where inflammation has killed the cells that usually line the colon, then bleed and produce pus. The common symptom is constant diarhea mixed with blood.

Food Intake Control: Low physical activities, low fruit and vegetable intake, high caloric intake from fat, obesity, high alcohol intake, and low intake of multivitamins also are factors that cause colorectal cancer.