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Rectal Cancer : Rectal Cancer Risk Factors and Prevention Tips | HCG

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Several controllable and non-controllable risk factors are associated with the development of rectal cancer. Controllable risk factors are those that can be changed or controlled through lifestyle modifications. Non-controllable risk factors, on the other hand, cannot be changed. It is not possible to alter the cancer risk associated with non-controllable factors.

Learning about different rectal cancer risk factors is important, as this can help determine whether one is a high-risk or low-risk individual for rectal cancer.

Along with knowing about the factors that contribute to increased rectal cancer risk, it is important to know about different rectal cancer prevention measures that help bring down the risk of this cancer.

What are the Rectal Cancer Risk Factors That One Can Control?

A large percentage of rectal cancer cases are caused by controllable risk factors. Managing them through certain lifestyle modifications can help reduce the rectal cancer risk significantly.

A diet high in red, processed, or charred meats

Consuming too much red, processed, or charred meat can increase the risk of rectal cancer. Highly processed and charred meats contain high levels of harmful chemicals, namely heterocyclic amines (HCAs) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), which are carcinogenic and trigger tumor formation by damaging the DNA structure of the cells present in the colon and rectum regions.

A lack of exercise

Exercise is necessary to keep the colon and rectum healthy. Studies show that not exercising regularly can increase the risk of rectal cancer. A sedentary lifestyle leads to visceral fat accumulation, which in turn can lead to chronic inflammation and hormonal imbalance. If chronic inflammation and hormonal imbalances are not managed effectively, they can lead to cancer formation.

Obesity

Obesity is another important risk factor for rectal cancer. Excess weight can lead to increased levels of insulin and other hormones in the body. It can also lead to chronic inflammation, which leads to cancer formation if left unmanaged.

Smoking

Smoking is also one of the rectal cancer risk factors. Cigarette smoke contains harmful chemicals or carcinogens that may damage the DNA structure of the cells present in the rectum and lead to tumor formation.

Drinking too much alcohol

Excessive alcohol consumption can lead to an increased risk of rectal cancer. When alcohol is broken down in the body, harmful metabolites are formed. These may damage the DNA structure of the cells present in the colon and rectum and lead to cancer.

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What are the Rectal Cancer Risk Factors that One Can’t Control?

Those risk factors that cannot be modified by any means are referred to as non-controllable risk factors. The following are the common non-controllable rectal cancer risk factors:

Age

Increasing age is a risk factor for rectal cancer. With age, it is normal for individuals to be exposed to multiple factors that can increase their rectal cancer risk. Also, with age, it is normal for mutations to occur in the cells that line the colon and rectum. Lastly, with increasing age, the immune system’s ability to identify cancer cells and attack them may also be affected.
All these make increasing age a non-controllable risk factor for rectal cancer.

Family History of Lynch Syndrome or Familial Adenomatous Polyposis

Genetic conditions, like Lynch syndrome and Familial Adenomatous Polyposis (FAP), are characterized by the formation of multiple polyps in the colon and rectum, which may turn into tumors. Having a family history of these genetic conditions can increase the risk of rectal cancer.

History of Cancer

Those who have been diagnosed with colorectal cancer in the past are also at an increased risk of developing rectal cancer. Previous cancer treatments that are administered to treat cancers in the pelvic region can also increase the risk of developing rectal cancer.

History of Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Inflammatory bowel diseases cause inflammation in the colon and rectum, and if this inflammation is left untreated, it can cause damage to cells in the colon and rectum and create a favorable environment for tumor growth.

It is, therefore, important to effectively manage inflammatory bowel diseases and opt for rectal cancer prevention measures like regular screening to bring down the risk of rectal cancer.

Family History of Cancer

Those with a positive family history of colorectal cancer must pay extra attention to their health, as they have a higher risk of developing rectal cancer. In such cases, one can opt for regular screening, which helps in catching rectal cancer in its early stages and receiving timely treatment.

How can One Lower the Risk of Rectal Cancer?

It is possible to modify one's lifestyle to lower the risk of rectal cancer. These rectal cancer prevention measures can help reduce one’s rectal cancer risk significantly.

Eat more fruits, vegetables, and fiber and less animal and dairy fat

Having a balanced diet that is rich in fruits, vegetables, and fiber and low in animal and dairy fat improves gut health, prevents inflammation, and, most importantly, brings down rectal cancer risk.

Exercise regularly

Exercising regularly helps prevent chronic inflammation and hormonal imbalances, which contribute to increased rectal cancer risk.

Maintain a healthy weight

Maintaining a healthy weight is another important rectal cancer prevention measure. Maintaining a healthy weight prevents chronic inflammation, insulin resistance, and hormonal imbalance, all of which contribute to an increased risk of developing rectal cancer.


Does Hormone Replacement Therapy Reduce the Risk of Rectal Cancer?


Some studies have reported how HRT may play a role in reducing one’s risk of developing colorectal cancer. However, none of the studies have found a significant link.


Hormone replacement therapy uses estrogen, progesterone, or a combination of these hormones to help women manage menopausal symptoms. It is important to note that HRT has been found to slightly increase the risk of breast cancer, ovarian cancer, and uterine cancer. Therefore, it is important to ensure that the benefits of HRT outweigh the risks before opting for this treatment.


Lastly, it is important to note that HRT is not a recommended rectal cancer prevention measure or a treatment option.


To reduce the risk of rectal cancer, it is important to opt for proven or doctor-recommended rectal cancer prevention measures, have healthy food habits, opt for an active lifestyle, maintain a healthy weight, and refrain from tobacco and alcohol consumption. These measures are highly effective in reducing rectal cancer risk.

Rectal Cancer Prevention Factors That You Need to Know

For those wondering how to prevent rectal cancer, here is something important to know: There is no known way to completely prevent rectal cancer. However, a few lifestyle changes may serve as rectal cancer prevention measures and can bring down one’s risk of developing rectal cancer:

Managing Your Body Weight

Maintaining a healthy weight is one of the most important rectal cancer prevention measures. Having a balanced diet and opting for regular exercise can help reduce one’s rectal cancer risk.

By maintaining optimum weight, one can prevent visceral fat accumulation, inflammation, and hormonal imbalance, all of which serve as major rectal cancer risk factors.

Being Physically Active

Regular exercise can help prevent fat accumulation and, thereby, obesity, which contributes to an increased rectal cancer risk.

Opting for exercise five days a week can help maintain a healthy weight and reduce one’s rectal cancer risk.

Managing Your Food Choices

Food choices play a pivotal role in reducing the risk of cancer and many other health problems. A diet that is rich in whole grains, fruits, and vegetables and low in processed meat and dairy can help reduce the risk of rectal cancer.

Aspirin and Other Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs)

Studies have found that the use of aspirin and certain other NSAIDs may play a role in bringing down one’s rectal cancer risk. However, these medications are associated with certain side effects, and therefore, their role in rectal cancer prevention must be thoroughly discussed with a doctor before their use.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the environmental risk factors for rectal cancer?

Environmental rectal cancer risk factors include exposure to certain hazardous chemicals or pollutants, such as heavy metals, asbestos, chlorinated solvents, etc.

Environmental risk factors also include food habits, lifestyle habits, consumption of tobacco and alcohol, exposure to radiation, and certain infections.

A rectal cancer diet, which is meant to reduce the risk of rectal cancer, is rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and proteins. Consuming sufficient fiber is important, too. Also, avoiding the consumption of red, processed, and charred meat, sugary foods and beverages, and highly processed carbohydrates can help reduce rectal cancer risk.

"How to avoid rectal cancer?" is one of the common things that people search for on the internet. However, there is no guaranteed way to prevent rectal cancer. This is because we have little information on the exact cause of rectal cancer.

That said, many studies have found that rectal cancer is associated with several controllable lifestyle factors, and by modifying these, it is possible to bring down the rectal cancer risk.

There is no known way to prevent rectal cancer entirely. However, certain lifestyle modifications, such as consuming a balanced diet, exercising regularly, maintaining a healthy weight, and refraining from tobacco and alcohol consumption, can help reduce your rectal cancer risk.

The side effects of rectal cancer and its management may vary based on various factors, such as the stage of the disease, the treatment approach, the treatment response shown by the patient, and the patient's overall health status. Common side effects associated with rectal cancer and its treatment include changes in bowel habits, rectal bleeding, pain, exhaustion, and weight loss.

The severity of these side effects may vary from patient to patient, and the expert team can help patients manage these side effects efficiently. If patients are not able to manage their side effects, they may talk to their expert team for appropriate medical assistance in managing their side effects.