What are the risk factors for colon cancer?
The major risk factors for colon cancer are being over the age of 50 and a family history of the disease. In addition, new research suggests that African Americans are at higher risk for colorectal cancer, Dr. Macaluso says. And watch for these signs: rectal bleeding, blood in the stool, abdominal pain, and unintentional or unexplained weight loss. “A lot of men out there who will see blood on the toilet paper and they’ll think it’s from hemorrhoids and they’ll ignore it,” Dr. Macaluso says. “Don’t.” Colon cancer can also appear with no symptoms at all, which is why it’s important to get screened.
