Colorectal cancer causes

Overview

Many times, doctors do not know what the direct cause of colon cancer is. The cancer develops as it does with many other forms of cancer. Healthy, normally dividing cells of colon begin to continue dividing even when new cells are not needed. These growths from the new cells can become cancerous over time.

Causes

• Polyps
  • These are pre-cancerous cells that can appear mushroom shaped. It is important to have polyps removed before they have a chance to become cancerous

• Hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer (HNPCC)
  • HNPCC can cause the development of colon cancer before the age of 50.
  • Increases risk of other cancers not just colon cancer.
  • It can be detected by genetic testing.

• Familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP)
  • It is rare.
  • It causes there to be many polyps growing on the lining of the colon and rectum.
  • Polyps can develop into cancers.