The large intestine is a part of the digestive system. It is responsible for the absorption of water from the indigestible residue of food. The colon is also known as the large intestine. This cancer generally affects older adults but can occur at any age. There are many risk factors for colon cancer.

Colon cancer is the third most common type of cancer in the country.

There are many risk factors for colon cancer that can cause this condition to develop. Doctors are yet to discover the exact cause of this cancer. However, genes play a significant part. Genes carry all the necessary information in our bodies. The sudden change in the gene base pairs results in gene mutation.

Doctors and researchers consider genetic mutation to be one of the causes of cancers. Colon cancer is not an exception. Genetic mutation induces the formation of tumor cells within the colon. These tumor cells grow to form colon cancer in the body.

There are many risk factors for colon cancer. If one can control these risk factors, one can prevent the condition effectively. Some of the risk factors for colon cancer include the following:

1. Age
Colon cancer is prevalent in people aged 50 years and above. However, recently colon cancer has been seen in people below the age of 50 as well.

2. Interracial group
Research shows that African-Americans have an increased risk of developing this cancer more than other races.

3. History of colorectal cancer
There is a higher risk of developing colon cancer if people have a history of colorectal cancer.

4. Inherited syndromes
Colon cancer is also caused due to genetic mutations and inherited conditions. Moreover, there is always the risk of developing cancer through generations. Familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) and Lynch syndrome are the common types of inherited colon cancers.

5. Inflammatory intestinal conditions
Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis can increase the risk of colon cancer.

6. Family history
One always has the risk of developing colon cancer if there is a family history of rectal or colon cancer.

7. Having a low-fiber, high-fat diet
A typical western diet that is rich in fats and low in fiber can cause rectal and colon cancer. A diet high in red and processed meat can increase the risk of colon cancer.

8. Sedentary lifestyle
Reduced physical activity and an inactive life can increase the risk of colon and rectal cancer.

9. Diabetes
People with diabetes or insulin deficiency have a higher risk of developing colon cancer.

10. Obesity
Obesity increases the risk of colon and rectal cancer.

11. Smoking and alcohol
Excessive smoking and consumption of alcohol increases the risk of colon cancer.

12. Radiation therapy
Radiation therapy cures several types of cancers. However, the radiation can induce cancers like colon and rectal cancer.

These are some of the primary causes of colon cancer. However, there are many treatments available to help control it, like radiation therapy, prescribed drugs, and surgeries.