What increases my risk of bowel cancer?

These risk factors increase your chance of developing bowel cancer: 

• Age: Most people who get bowel cancer are over 50. However, evidence shows that more people under the age of 50 are being diagnosed with bowel cancer, so it is important that everyone is bowel aware.
• Previous cancer: If you have bowel cancer before.
• Family history of bowel cancer: If a member of your immediate family (mother, father, brother, sister or child) or a number of relatives (uncle, aunt) on the same side of the family has had bowel cancer, or if an immediate family member was diagnosed with bowel cancer at a young age, under 45.
• Inherited bowel conditions: If you or someone in your family have or had an inherited bowel condition such as FAP familial adenomatous polyposis and Lynch syndrome (also called hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer (HNPCC).
• Other bowel conditions: If you have a history of a bowel condition such as benign polyps, ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease.
• Obesity: If you are obese (overweight).
• Diet: A diet high in fat and red meat and low in fibre, fruit and vegetables can increase your risk of bowel cancer. Drinking alcohol to excess and smoking may increase the risk for some people.

Having a risk factor doesn’t mean you will definitely get cancer. Sometimes people with no risk factors get the disease. If you’re worried, talk to your GP or talk to one of our cancer nurses. Call our Support Line on 1800 200 700 or visit a Daffodil Centre. 

Reducing your risk of bowel cancer

The most important things you can do to reduce your risk of bowel cancer are to:

• Take part in the national BowelScreen screening programme.
• Keep a healthy weight for your height.
• Eat a balanced diet. Avoid processed meats, red meat and fatty foods. Eat more fibre, fruit and vegetables. Read more about a healthy diet.
• Stop smoking and stay within the low-risk limits for alcohol.