What are the risk factors for bowel cancer?

Bowel cancer is cancer which starts in the large bowel (colon and rectum) and is also known as colorectal cancer. With an estimated 42,900 new bowel cancer cases diagnosed every year in the UK, this makes it the fourth most common cancer in the UK, after lung, breast and prostate cancer.

Signs and Symptoms of Bowel Cancer

Colorectal cancer can result from both modifiable and non-modifiable factors. Non-modifiable risk factors include your age, if you have a history of Inflammatory Bowel Disease or your genetics. Older age is generally considered a main risk factor for bowel cancer. Modifiable risk factors for colorectal cancer include:

• Cigarette smoking: Risk of bowel cancer risk is 17-25% higher in former cigarette smokers than in those who have never smoked
• High consumption of red & processed meats: increased risk of bowel cancer with high consumption of red or processed meat. The NHS advises people who eat more than 90g (cooked weight) of red and processed meat a day to cut down their consumption to 70g or less to reduce their risk of bowel cancer
• Obesity – Obesity is one of the most important causes of bowel cancer.
• Alcohol – 6% of bowel cancer cases in the UK are caused by alcohol drinking
• Low fibre intake – 28% of bowel cancer cases in the UK are caused by eating too little fibre. Foods which are a great source of high fibre include Weetabix, Shredded Wheat or porridge as oats. Potatoes with their skins on, such as a baked potato or boiled new potatoes, unsalted nuts without added sugars and the classic fruit and veg are also great ways to increase fibre in your diet.