Bowel cancer causes and risk factors
Here, we look at the different factors that can increase your risk of developing bowel cancer. By being aware of all the risk factors, you’re in a better position to help prevent bowel cancer from developing.
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What causes bowel cancer to develop?
There are many risk factors that have been linked to bowel cancer. Some are factors, such as your diet, which you can modify, by making changes to what you eat. However, there are other risk factors that are out of your control, but worth being aware of.
Factors that we have some power to change
There are factors that we have some control over that can contribute to your risk of bowel cancer and also other types of cancer. These are diet, physical activity, weight, alcohol intake and smoking.
Factors that we cannot change
Unfortunately, there are some factors out of our control that can increase our risk of bowel cancer. These factors include age, medical conditions, family history and a previous bowel cancer diagnosis.
Find out what your risk of cancer is
There are many factors to take into consideration when it comes to your risk of cancer. Score yourself on each one and find out how healthy your life is and areas you could improve.
> Check your risk with our Cancer Health Check tool
What can you do to reduce these risk factors?
Through our Global Cancer Update Programme, we created our Cancer Prevention Recommendations. Our package of Recommendations can help reduce your risk of cancer, including bowel cancer.
Bowel cancer causes and risks FAQs
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What can increase my risk of bowel cancer?
Eating too much red meat such as beef, pork or lamb, or any amount of processed meat such as bacon and salami, significantly increases your risk of bowel cancer. Our research shows that there is on average a 16% increase in bowel cancer risk for every 50g of processed meat eaten each day.
Having excess weight or living with obesity has also been shown to increase your cancer risk.
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Is alcohol a risk factor for bowel cancer?
There’s strong evidence that drinking alcohol increases your risk of bowel cancer. As no amount of alcohol has been classed as “safe”, to lower your cancer risk as much as possible, it’s best not to drink any alcohol.
If you do drink alcohol, guidelines from the NHS advise we don’t drink more than 14 units a week.
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Which food can cause bowel cancer?
Our research has identified a number of dietary factors that can increase your bowel cancer risk, such as eating too much red meat, and any processed meat like bacon. We also know that a diet low in fibre and wholegrains increases your risk.
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Who is at high risk for bowel cancer?
People who are at higher risk of bowel cancer include those who are older, have excess weight, are physically inactive, smoke, drink regularly, have a high intake of red meat and processed meat, and have a diet low in fibre-rich foods.
Help for you
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