Risk factors

Certain factors can influence your risk of bowel cancer. These include:

• Being 50+ years in age
• A diet high in red meat and/or processed meats and animal fats
• A diet low in fruit and vegetable fibre
• Lack of exercise
• Obesity/being overweight
• Smoking and alcohol
• A personal or family history of bowel cancer
• Genetic factors associated with bowel cancer
• Inflammatory bowel disease (includes Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis)
• Previous diagnosis of bowel cancer