There are many identified risks for colon cancer. Some are related to lifestyle, and others are factors beyond a person’s control, such as family history (a case in the family), gender, genetic conditions, and age. A diet high in red and processed meat, animal fat, and highly processed foods may contribute to increased risk. Smoking, excessive alcohol drinking and low physical activity are also associated with higher rates of colon cancer. Although there are no completely reliable data, it is believed that men in general may have more of these lifestyle factors that contribute to the development of colon cancer than women. Colon cancer can also occur in people who have no identified or apparent risk factors for its development. It can be prevented by screening because when a polyp is removed, it has no chance of becoming cancer. Colon cancer in its early stages is largely curable, making early diagnosis crucial for good treatment outcomes. Colon cancer usually occurs at a younger age in men than in women. Changes in guidelines that require screening tests in younger people may help address some of this problem. Having a diagnosis of inflammatory bowel disease (such as Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis), especially ulcerative colitis, is a factor in the development of colon cancer. The risk increases after eight years with the disease. How well the disease is controlled also plays a role in cancer risk. Prolonged bowel inflammation that is not well managed is more closely associated with colon cancer. Having extensive colitis or pancolitis in the colon is also associated with an increased risk of carcinoma, inflammatory bowel disease is not a risk factor that is specific to men, but it is significant because it is a lifelong condition. Colon cancer begins with precancerous lesions on the inner walls of the colon called polyps. When polyps are removed during a colonoscopy, they no longer pose a risk of developing cancer. Men have a greater risk of developing colon polyps at a younger age than women. Colon polyps develop slowly, but they can develop in some people who have not yet reached the age for colon cancer screening. A study has shown that men can start developing polyps an average of 10 years before women. Polyps are not a risk factor that can be changed, but colon cancer screening can help find and remove them before they become malignant. Another factor that affects the risk of colon cancer is the rare diseases that cause the development of polyps. These include hereditary non-polyposis colorectal cancer (Lynch syndrome),familial adenomatous polyposis, Gardner syndrome, MYH-associated polyposis, Peutz-Jeghers syndrome and serrated polyposis syndrome. Having a family history of one of these conditions is important in assessing your risk of colon cancer. Most of these conditions seem to affect men and women similarly. However, men with Lynch syndrome have a higher risk of developing colon cancer than women with the same condition. Diagnostic methods for colon cancer include laboratory tests, specialized X-ray examinations, such as computed tomography (CT), and endoscopic examinations, such as sigmoidoscopy and colonoscopy. Only colonoscopy makes it possible to see the entire length of the colon and remove all polyps. Men are less aware of the need for cancer screening than women. They are more likely to undergo a colonoscopy than women, but this only happens when it is offered to them by a specialist. Further complicating the issue of early diagnosis is that men in general tend to be less aware of cancer symptoms. Studies show that men have more trouble recognizing signs and symptoms related to the bowel and bladder. Men with the disease have a lower overall survival rate than women. It is thought that multiple risk factors in men and differences in hormones between the sexes may be part of the reasons for this observation. References: 1. Hill SE, Bell C, Bowie JV, et al. Differences in obesity among men of diverse racial and ethnic background 2. Ma Y, Yang Y, Wang F, et al. Obesity and risk of colorectal cancer: a systematic review of prospective studies 3. Whiteman DC, Wilson LF. The fractions of cancer attributable to modifiable factors: A global review 4. Gram IT, Park SY, Wilkens LR, Haiman CA, Le Marchand L. Smoking-related risks of colorectal cancer by anatomical subsite and sex 5. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention , National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Division of Population HealthThey are more likely to undergo a colonoscopy than women, but this only happens when it is offered to them by a specialist. Further complicating the issue of early diagnosis is that men in general tend to be less aware of cancer symptoms. Studies show that men have more trouble recognizing signs and symptoms related to the bowel and bladder. Men with the disease have a lower overall survival rate than women. It is thought that multiple risk factors in men and differences in hormones between the sexes may be part of the reasons for this observation. References: 1. Hill SE, Bell C, Bowie JV, et al. Differences in obesity among men of diverse racial and ethnic background 2. Ma Y, Yang Y, Wang F, et al. Obesity and risk of colorectal cancer: a systematic review of prospective studies 3. Whiteman DC, Wilson LF. The fractions of cancer attributable to modifiable factors: A global review 4. Gram IT, Park SY, Wilkens LR, Haiman CA, Le Marchand L. Smoking-related risks of colorectal cancer by anatomical subsite and sex 5. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention , National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Division of Population HealthThey are more likely to undergo a colonoscopy than women, but this only happens when it is offered to them by a specialist. Further complicating the issue of early diagnosis is that men in general tend to be less aware of cancer symptoms. Studies show that men have more trouble recognizing signs and symptoms related to the bowel and bladder. Men with the disease have a lower overall survival rate than women. It is thought that multiple risk factors in men and differences in hormones between the sexes may be part of the reasons for this observation. References: 1. Hill SE, Bell C, Bowie JV, et al. Differences in obesity among men of diverse racial and ethnic background 2. Ma Y, Yang Y, Wang F, et al. Obesity and risk of colorectal cancer: a systematic review of prospective studies 3. Whiteman DC, Wilson LF. The fractions of cancer attributable to modifiable factors: A global review 4. Gram IT, Park SY, Wilkens LR, Haiman CA, Le Marchand L. Smoking-related risks of colorectal cancer by anatomical subsite and sex 5. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention , National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Division of Population Health