Reviewed by Dr. Clement J. Cheng
Colorectal cancer refers to cancer of the colon, rectum, or both. Colorectal cancer accounts for 15 percent of cancer deaths each year in the United States. It is the second most common cause of cancer death in the United States, after lung cancer.
While the cause of colorectal cancer is unknown, several identifying risk factors exist.
Factors associated with an increased risk of colon cancer are colorectal polyps, immunodeficiency disorders, cancer elsewhere in the body, and family history of colon cancer.
Dietary factors associated with colon cancer include a high-fat, low-fiber diet. If you are at risk for developing colorectal cancer you should talk to a doctor or nutritionist about planning a low-fat, high-fiber diet.
