Causes and risk factors

Causes of bowel cancer

The transformation of healthy intestinal cells into tumor cells often passes through a benign stage, the so-called intestinal polyps (Adenome). Intestinal polyps are growths of the intestinal mucosa in the form of a fungus, growing into the intestinal lumen. Approximately 90% colon cancer occurs as a result of the fact that these polyps degenerate, their cells turn into cancer cells.

In rare cases, already at birth, there are changes at the gene level. In such cases, bowel cancer in the family is very common. Approximately 10 - 15% of all bowel cancers are believed to have a hereditary cause.

Yet in most cases, there is no single cause of bowel cancer. But certain factors are known to increase an individual's risk of developing bowel cancer. Often there is a predisposition. First of all, these are certain habits in nutrition and lifestyle. Similarly, people with benign or inflammatory bowel disease are at risk.

People in the high-risk group

• Persons suffering from chronic inflammatory diseases of the intestinal mucosa (especially ulcerative colitis), especially when the disease lasts more than 10 to 15 years and most of the large intestine is affected.
• Individuals themselves or their immediate family members who have or have had intestinal polyps.
• If you have familial adenomatous polyposis
• In families with a history of bowel cancer, especially if they occur in family members under the age of 50. Predisposition to this type of cancer can be inherited.
• Individuals or immediate family members who have other types of cancer, such as breast, ovarian, or uterine cancer.
• Persons with Gardner's syndrome.
• Individuals with Peutz-Jeghers Syndrome
• Individuals with Lynch Syndrome (HNPCC)
• Persons with unfavorable eating habits, such as eating fatty and low-fiber foods. The issue of highly salted, smoked or salted foods as a cause of bowel cancer is also being discussed.
• Individuals who are overweight, have a lack of movement, or are addicted to nicotine