🌀Colorectal cancer

#1Family history[1]+325%

Across 27 studies, having one first-degree relative with colorectal cancer roughly doubled the risk, and two or more relatives raised it over fourfold.

Any strong family history of cancer?

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#2Skipping screening[2]−68%

The one lever that works after the cancer has started.

Are you up to date on colorectal screening (recommended from 45)?

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#3Alcohol[3]+44%

Across 66 studies, moderate drinking (up to about four drinks a day) went with 17% more colorectal cancer and heavy drinking with 44% more, while light drinking showed no association.

How much alcohol do you drink?

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#4Regular aspirin or NSAID use[4]−35%

The strongest single number on this page.

Do you take aspirin or another NSAID (ibuprofen, naproxen) most days, for a year or more?

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#5Body weight[5]+33%

Across 41 prospective studies and nine million people, obesity went with a third more colorectal cancer than normal weight, and a large waist with 46% more.

How would you describe your weight?

Same number, 2 answers: The meta-analysis pooled everyone with a BMI of 30 or over as one obese group.

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#6Diabetes[6]+26%

Across 15 studies and 2.6 million people, diabetes went with 26% more deaths from colorectal cancer (30% more cases).

What’s your blood sugar like?

Same number, 2 answers: The meta-analysis compared diabetes with no diabetes; it did not split by how well it was controlled.

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#7Smoking[7]+25%

Across 17 cohorts, people who had ever smoked died of colorectal cancer 25% more often than never smokers, the excess appearing only after about 30 years of smoking and larger for the rectum.

Do you smoke?

Same number, 3 answers: The meta-analysis pooled ever smokers against never smokers; it did not split current from former or by cigarettes a day.

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#8Calcium intake[8]≈−24%

Pooling 15 prospective studies and 12,305 cases, each extra 300mg of calcium a day (roughly a cup of milk or a serving of fortified plant milk) went with about 8% less colorectal cancer, holding whether the calcium came from food or a supplement, with no sign the benefit tapers off above 1,000mg/day.

How much calcium do you typically get a day (dairy, fortified foods, or a supplement)?

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#9Eating pattern[9]−22%

In 77,659 Adventist Health Study 2 participants followed 7.3 years, vegetarians overall developed 22% fewer colorectal cancers than non-vegetarians; pescovegetarians (plants plus fish, no meat) fared best at 43% fewer, lacto-ovo vegetarians 18% fewer, and vegans 16% fewer, though the vegan and semivegetarian figures were not statistically significant on their own.

Which eating pattern best describes you?

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#10Processed meat[10]+18%

Every 50 g a day of processed meat (two rashers of bacon, one hot dog) went with 18% more colorectal cancer across the prospective studies, the finding behind the WHO’s 2015 classification.

How often do you eat processed meat (bacon, deli, sausage)?

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#11Unprocessed red meat[10]+17%

The same prospective studies behind the processed-meat pill found fresh red meat (beef, pork, lamb) carries its own, smaller dose: 17% more colorectal cancer per 100 g a day.

How often do you eat red meat?

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#12Physical inactivity[11]−16%

In 1.44 million adults, the most active tenth developed 16% less colon cancer and 13% less rectal cancer than the least active tenth.

How many days a week do you get 30+ minutes of exercise?

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#13Low fibre[12]−10%

Across 25 prospective studies, every 10 g a day of fibre went with 10% less colorectal cancer, cereal fibre and whole grains carrying the effect.

How much fiber do you eat daily (beans, whole grains, vegetables, fruit)?

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