colorectal cancer, also known as colon or rectal cancer. There are several factors that have been proven to increase a person’s risk of being diagnosed with colon cancer, some of which are unavoidable such as family history.
Some modifiable risk factors include an unhealthy diet, not enough exercise, smoking and high alcohol consumption. However, scientists now believe a person’s height is another unavoidable factor that could increase a person’s risk of colon cancer, according to a new study published in the journal American Association for Cancer Research.
For the study, researchers observed adults between the ages of 40 and 85 who were undergoing outpatient colonoscopy for colorectal cancer screening.
The individuals had to have no prior history of colon cancer, inflammatory bowel disease, collagenous or autoimmune colitis, ischemic bowel and other illnesses that could lead to colon cancer.