Research Topic · Peer-Reviewed

Risk Factors for Colorectal Cancer

Risk factors for colorectal cancer are the genetic, lifestyle, and clinical characteristics that increase an individual's probability of developing malignancy of the colon or rectum, one of the most common cancers worldwide. They are broadly divided into non-modifiable factors, including increasing age, family histo…

Curated from this journal's research 📚 11 peer-reviewed articles cited Cited 32× across the literature 🔖 ISSN 2471-7061 🗓 Reviewed July 2026

Overview

Risk factors for colorectal cancer are the genetic, lifestyle, and clinical characteristics that increase an individual's probability of developing malignancy of the colon or rectum, one of the most common cancers worldwide. They are broadly divided into non-modifiable factors, including increasing age, family history, and inherited predisposition, and modifiable factors such as diet, obesity, physical inactivity, smoking, and alcohol consumption. A central biological dimension is the presence of precursor lesions: colorectal cancer typically develops through identifiable pathways, including the conventional adenoma-carcinoma sequence and the serrated neoplasia pathway, in which specific lesions of the colorectum progress to carcinoma over time. Because much of this progression is detectable and preventable, screening occupies a prominent place in risk reduction; faecal immunochemical testing and colonoscopy identify early lesions and cancers, and population- and workplace-based programmes aim to improve participation, while the psychological dimensions of screening also influence uptake. Chemopreventive strategies, including the role of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, and molecular markers that aid early detection, are areas of active investigation. Anatomical and biological factors, such as features of the proximal colon, may contribute to interval cancers arising between screenings. Understanding and addressing the modifiable and non-modifiable determinants of colorectal cancer, together with effective screening and early detection, is central to reducing its incidence and improving outcomes.

Research published in this journal

11 peer-reviewed articles, ranked by relevance. Each links to its DOI.

How this research is being cited

The 11 articles above have been cited 32 times in the scholarly literature. Citation data via OpenAlex and Crossref, updated Jun 2026.

A sample of recent works citing this journal's research on Risk Factors for Colorectal Cancer, linking to each citing work.

Editorial oversight

Curated from peer-reviewed research published in Colon And Rectal Cancer (ISSN 2471-7061).

Journal editorial board
Frank A. Frizelle · New Zealand Gennaro Galizia · Italy Tamotsu Tsukahara · Japan

This page summarises published research for orientation; it is not medical or professional advice.