What causes cancer
of the large bowel?
In most people the cause of cancer of the large bowel
is still unknown. However, people who have a rare condition
known as familial adenomatous polyposis, in which benign
tumours called polyps are found in the lining of the colon,
have an increased risk of developing the disease. This also
applies to people with a long history of ulcerative colitis, a
disease of the lining of the bowel.
There is evidence to
suggest that cancer of the large bowel may also be linked to
our diet. It is thought that a diet which is high in animal
fat and protein, and low in fibre, may increase the risk of
developing cancer of the bowel.
People with a strong
family history of bowel cancer may also have an increased risk
of developing the disease. There are specialist clinics for
people worried about the risk of bowel cancer in their family.
Contact your GP or CancerBACUP's Cancer Information Service
for more details.
