Colon Cancer – Causes and Risk Factors
Colon cancer is a kind of cancer, which starts in the colon or the large intestine. The colon is the digestive tract’s last part. Usually, colon cancer affects older adults. However, it can happen at any age. It usually starts as benign, non-cancerous, small cell clumps known as polyps, which appear on the colon’s inside. Over time, these may develop into colon cancers. What causes colon cancer? Let us find out. 1. Causes As such, there is no clarity on what causes colon cancer. It may be either acquired or inherited or may be caused by genetic mutations. However, with mutations, too, there is no guarantee that you will develop colorectal cancer, and it does aggravate your chances of developing cancer. At times, the mutations may cause the abnormal cells to crowd the colon’s lining. This may lead to the formation of benign polyps. To prevent cancer, the doctor may recommend removing the polyps via surgery. If the polyps are untreated, they can take cancerous forms. 2. Risk Factors The main risk factors of colon cancer are Being Obese or Overweight If you are overweight, your risk of developing colon cancer is high. Being obese heightens your risk of developing colon cancer in both men and women, but the risk is more significant in men.