The exact cause of bowel cancer is unknown but research studies have consistently demonstrated a number of risk factors; these include:
- Family history
- Poor diet (a diet that is high in fat and cholesterol)
- Being overweight
- Smoking
- Drinking regularly and excessively
- Digestive conditions such as Crohn’s disease
- Genetic conditions including FAP (familial adenomatous polyposis) and HNPCC (hereditary non-polyposis colorectal cancer); these conditions are very rare but they have been found to contribute to bowel cancer
Symptoms
Common symptoms include:
- Changes in bowel activity (that last for a prolonged period of time)
- Blood in faeces
- Abnormal weight loss
- Constipation
- Pain in the abdomen
- Eating a healthy diet
- Getting plenty of exercise
- Losing weight (if you are overweight)
- Cutting down on drinking
- Giving up smoking