Risk and prevention of bowel cancer

Bowel cancer is more common in people over 50 years, but younger people can also get it.

If you have had bowel cancer before, you have a higher risk of getting it again.

If your mother, father, brother, sister or child had bowel cancer, you have a greater risk of getting it, especially if they were under the age of 45. You also have a greater risk if aunts or uncles on the same side of the family had bowel cancer.

Your risk is higher if you or someone in your family has or had an inherited bowel condition such as FAP familial adenomatous polyposis and Lynch syndrome (also called hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer (HNPCC).

A history of inflammatory bowel conditions such as polyps, ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease or coeliac disease.

Limit the amount of red meat and processed meat that you eat. Processed meat includes bacon, sausages, ham and salami. Eat more fibre, including at least 5 portions of fruit and vegetables every day. 

Read more about a healthy diet [here]

Being a healthy weight is one of the best ways to protect yourself from cancer. 

Try to do at least 30 minutes of moderate physical activity on 5 or more days a week.

Drinking alcohol increases your risk of bowel cancer. The more you cut down on alcohol, the more you can reduce your risk.

Smoking increases your risk of bowel cancer, and the more you smoke the greater the risk. Smokers are also more likely to develop polyps (small growths) in their bowel than non-smokers.

Screening can spot early signs of bowel cancer. It is especially important to get screened if you have a family history of bowel cancer or other risk factors. 

Learn more about bowel screening here.