Risk factors for colorectal cancer include both things you can and cannot control. If you have some known risk factors, you may want to take steps to reduce your exposure to modifiable risk factors.

Colorectal cancer develops in the colon or rectum. Screenings and early detection can help identify and treat the cancer early, leading to a more favorable outlook.

Several risk factors increase your chances of developing colorectal cancer. You can take steps to help reduce your chances, but taking additional steps does not guarantee you will not develop the cancer, just improve your odds.

Type 2 diabetes increases your risk of developing colorectal cancer. This is likely due to the increased insulin in your body as well as sharing some of the same risk factors, such as increased body weight and reduced physical activity.

Some steps you can take to reduce your risk of developing type 2 diabetes include:

  • maintaining or getting to a moderate weight
  • taking steps to manage your blood pressure
  • moving regularly
  • eating a diet that focuses on fresh fruits and vegetables, lean meats, complex carbs, and healthy fats

A person with overweight or obesity has a higher chance of developing colorectal cancer. Though this is true for both sexes, the link tends to be stronger in men.

Reducing your weight or maintaining a moderate weight is not always easy. The two basic steps involve eating a healthier diet and moving regularly throughout the week.

You may find it helpful to seek advice from a doctor, nutritionist, or personal trainer on how to manage a moderate weight.

The American Cancer Society (ACS) suggests that consuming red and processed meats regularly can increase your chances of developing colorectal cancer. Red meats can include lamb, beef, and liver. Processed meats include sausages, hot dogs, and other prepared meats.

In addition, the ACS warns that how you prepare your food can increase your risk of developing colorectal cancer. Cooking foods at high temperatures, including grilling, broiling, and frying, can increase the risk of colorectal cancer.

Having a low level of vitamin D in your blood may also increase your risk. You can increase your vitamin D intake through both more exposure to sunlight outside and through supplements.

Consider consuming more fiber, fruits, and vegetables and avoiding processed foods in general.

Making dietary changes does not mean you can never consume red meats, processed meats, or fried food. It just means eating them in moderation and less frequently, particularly if you already have other risk factors for colorectal cancer.

Moderate to heavy alcohol consumption can increase your risk of developing colorectal cancer.

This doesn’t necessarily mean that you need to completely opt out of drinking alcohol. Moderation is key, and enjoying an occasional drink will not drastically increase your risk of colorectal cancer.

Long-term smoking increases both your risk of developing and dying from colorectal cancer. It also increases your chances of developing several other cancers, including lung cancer, as well as developing colon polyps.

It’s best if you never smoke, but if you are a current smoker, you may want to consider quitting as soon as possible. Many products (patches, gum), services, and programs exist that can help you quit smoking.

If you or a close family relative has a history of either colorectal cancer or adenomatous polyps, you have a higher chance of developing colorectal cancer.

Additionally, if you have a personal history of radiation to the abdomen or pelvis area or inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), you also have an increased risk of developing colorectal cancer.

There’s nothing you can do to change either your personal or family history. However, some evidence suggests that properly treating and managing IBD can lower your risk of developing colorectal cancer.

As you get older, your chances of developing colorectal cancer increase. It’s most common in people over 50 years old.

In recent years, experts have identified a downward trend, meaning that more and more cases are occurring in younger people. For this reason, the current recommendation for screenings is to start at 45 years.

There are four signs experts suggest looking for that can signal early onset colorectal cancer. These include:

  • iron deficiency anemia
  • abdominal pain
  • diarrhea
  • rectal bleeding

Anyone can develop colorectal cancer, but in the United States, it’s most common among American Indian and Alaska Native people. The next highest-risk group includes African American people.

Throughout the world, the ethnic group with the highest risk for colorectal cancer is Jews of Eastern European descent (Ashkenazi Jews).

Men have a higher chance of death due to colorectal cancer than women. They also have an overall higher chance of developing colorectal cancer.

About 5% of people who develop colorectal cancer have an inherited gene mutation. These genetic changes cause family cancer syndromes that may lead to the development of colorectal cancer.

The most common inherited syndrome is Lynch syndrome. This accounts for about 2% to 4% of all colorectal cancer cases.

Another inherited syndrome — familial adenomatous polyposis — accounts for about 1% of all colorectal cancer cases.

Several risk factors increase your chances of developing colorectal cancer. Taking steps to manage certain factors like diet, weight, and existing medical conditions can help you reduce your risk. You can’t change other factors, like age and ethnicity.

If you have several known risk factors, you may want to take steps to reduce the ones you can control. This can include changing your diet, being more active, quitting smoking, and reducing how much or how often you drink alcohol.