Despite being preventable, colon cancer is the third most common cancer in women and men. You can prevent colon cancer with a screening that finds and removes polyps in your large intestine. The doctors at Peak Gastroenterology Associates have years of experience performing high-quality colon cancer screenings at their Denver, Colorado Springs, and Lone Tree clinics. If you have questions or want to schedule an appointment, call one of the offices or use the online booking feature today.
What Causes Colon Cancer?
Though the exact cause of colon cancer hasn’t been identified, medical experts believe that most cases develop due to acquired genetic mutations. This type of mutation occurs as lifestyle factors influence genetic activity. The key risk factors for colon cancer include:
- Being overweight or obese
- Physical inactivity
- Diets high in red meat and processed meat
- Drinking too much alcohol
- Smoking cigarettes
Your risk of developing colon cancer also increases as you get older if you have inflammatory bowel disease or if you have a family history of colon cancer or colon polyps. About 5 percent of people who develop colon cancer have inherited gene mutations associated with family cancer syndromes.
