What is bowel cancer

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What is bowel cancer?

The bowels are the intestines, consisting of the small intestine (the section between the stomach and the appendix) and the large intestine (from the appendix to the anus). The large intestine is divided into the long colon and a short rectum, just before the anus. Two thirds of bowel cancers occur in the colon and one third in the rectum, with very few in the small intestine.

Who is at risk of bowel cancer?

There are about 35,000 new cases each year in the UK. More than 80% of these are in people over 60. Obesity can increase the risk of cancer of the colon by up to one third. High alcohol intake is also known to increase the risk of bowel cancer. However, some common drugs, such as aspirin-like painkillers and hormone replacement therapy, are known to reduce the risk of bowel cancer.

· family history of colon cancer or intestinal polyps. Risk is more than doubled if a close family member such as a parent, sibling or child has colon cancer.

· A condition known as hereditary nonpolposis colon cancer syndrome is also genetic.

· Relatives that had an early on set of colon cancer

· Individuals over the age of 50 are at an increased risk
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· African-Americans are at a slightly higher risk

· Highest in developed countries such as the United States and Japan

· Slightly higher in men than women

· People with Crohn's disease

· People with ulcerative colitis

· Diets high in fat and red meat

· Diets low in fiber

· Obesity

· Smokers

· Diabetics

· Excessive alcohol consumption on a daily basis

· Sedentary lifestyle

Effects of diet in colon cancer

The risk of bowel cancer appears to be linked to diet, ...

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