Your personal medical history can significantly impact your chances of developing colon cancer. A medical history that includes polyps, bowel inflammation, or certain cancers is particularly relevant.
Medical History of Polyps
Virtually all colon cancer develops from adenomatous polyps, generally referred to simply as polyps. Although polyps don't always become cancerous, individuals with a medical history of polyps are more likely to develop colon cancer.
Medical History of Certain Cancers
This is one of those things that can make you feel like nature just isn't very nice. Why? People who've had cancer are more likely to get cancer. Research indicates that women who've had breast, uterine, or ovarian cancer are at increased risk for developing colon cancer. For example, a study published in the journal Cancer Research found that one screwy gene can cause cancer of the colon and uterus.
Medical History of Bowel Inflammation
Chronic inflammation of the bowel, often caused by conditions such as ulcerative colitis and Chron's disease, increases the risk of developing colon cancer. (A medical history of ulcerative colitis increases the risk more than Chron's disease.) In general, the longer you've had bowel inflammation, the greater your chances of developing colon cancer. This is because inflamed areas of the colon can give rise to abnormally-developed cells, which in time, can give rise to cancer cells.
To learn about other things that contribute to the development of colorectal cancer, please read Fifteen Causes of Colon Cancer.
Sources:
Colorectal Cancer Prevention and Treatment. National Foundation for Cancer Research. Accessed 15 Jun 2008 [http://www2.nfcr.org/site/PageServer?pagename=cancers_colorectal].
Detailed Guide: Colon and Rectum Cancer: What Are the Risk Factors for Colorectal Cancer? American Cancer Society. 5 Mar. 2008. Accessed 15 Jun 2008 [http://www.cancer.org/docroot/CRI/content/CRI_2_4_2X_What_are_the_risk_factors_for_colon_and_rectum_cancer.asp].
Hampel, Heather and Frankel, Wendy. "Screening for Lynch Syndrome (Hereditary Nonpolyposis Colorectal Cancer) among Endometrial Cancer Patients." Cancer Research 66 (Aug. 2006): 7810-7817. Accessed 15 Jun 2008 [http://cancerres.aacrjournals.org/cgi/content/abstract/66/15/7810].
Overview: Colon and Rectum Cancer: What Causes Colorectal Cancer? American Cancer Society. 5 Mar. 2008. Accessed 15 Jun. 2008 [http://www.cancer.org/docroot/CRI/content/CRI_2_2_2X_What_causes_colorectal_cancer.asp?sitearea=].
