Many lifestyle-related factors have been linked to colorectal cancer. In fact, more than half of all colorectal cancers are linked to risk factors that can be changed. These include:
- Being overweight or obese
- Diabetes mellitus, Type 2
- Certain types of diets – A long-term diet that’s high in red meats (such as beef, pork, lamb, or liver) and processed meats (like hot dogs and some lunch meats) raises your colorectal cancer risk.
- Having a low blood level of vitamin D may also increase your risk.
- Smoking
- Alcohol use
If you are overweight or obese (very overweight), your risk of developing and dying from colorectal cancer is higher. Being overweight raises the risk of colorectal cancer in people, but the link seems to be stronger in men. Getting to and staying at a healthy weight may help lower your risk.
People with type 2 diabetes mellitus are more likely than people who don’t to develop colorectal cancer. Researchers suspect that this higher risk may be due to high levels of insulin in people with diabetes mellitus. Both type 2 diabetes and colorectal cancer share some of the same risk factors (such as being overweight and physical inactivity). But even after taking these factors into account, people with type 2 diabetes still have an increased risk. They also tend to have a less favorable prognosis (outlook) after diagnosis.
Cooking meats at very high temperatures (frying, broiling, or grilling) creates chemicals that might raise your cancer risk.
Following a healthy eating pattern that includes plenty of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, and that limits or avoids red and processed meats and sugary drinks probably lowers risk.
People who have smoked tobacco for a long time are more likely to develop and die from colorectal cancer than people who don’t smoke. Smoking tobacco also increases the risk for people to develop colon polyps. Smoking is a well-known cause of lung cancer, but it’s linked to a lot of other cancers, too.
Leave a Reply