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What are the risk factors for colorectal cancer?

BY Jason Willis, M.D., Ph.D.

June 27, 2024

Colorectal cancer is a type of cancer that develops in the colon or the rectum. It is the fourth most common cancer diagnosed in the U.S.

Here, I’ll discuss what makes you more likely to develop colorectal cancer and what you can do to lower your risk.

What are colorectal cancer risk factors?

Several things can increase your chances of getting colorectal cancer. These risk factors include:

Age

Most people diagnosed...

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Colon cancer with a closeup of a tumor
4-time cancer survivor Angela Harris

4-time cancer survivor and employee: Why I chose MD Anderson for my treatment

BY Angela Harris 

June 26, 2024

I’ve had several benign skin growths removed from my back over the years. But I never expected to be diagnosed with four different types of...

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Female hands

Cancer treatment-related nail changes: 7 things to know

BY Valerie Jones

June 25, 2024

Cancer treatment can cause physical and emotional side effects. You may notice changes to your nails if you receive chemotherapy or certain...

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Scalp cooling and chemotherapy hair loss: what to know

BY Gina Van Thomme

June 24, 2024

Hair loss is a side effect of cancer treatment that can be physically and emotionally challenging.

"When patients lose their hair from chemotherapy, it can be very traumatic for them,” says Susan Ferguson, clinical administrative director of MD Anderson’s Breast Center. “It can lower their self-esteem, how they feel about themselves, how they feel about their intimate relationships and how they see themselves. All of that...

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Blue silicone scalp cooling cap connected to the scalp cooling system
Lisa Ordmandy hiking

Metastatic breast and spine cancer survivor: ‘I’m living into the cure’

BY Caroline Brennan

June 21, 2024

“I have an illness, not a terminal diagnosis,” says Lisa Ordmandy. Despite her metastatic breast cancer diagnosis, Lisa remains optimistic...

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A silver can pours out brown soda against a yellow background.

Do sugary drinks increase colorectal cancer risk?

BY Gina Van Thomme

June 20, 2024

Many of us enjoy soda without a second thought.

About two-thirds of children and teenagers and half of adults in the United States...

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Waist-level shot of young fit man in gray T-shirt holding abdomen in pain

‘How I knew I had pancreatic cancer’: 3 survivors share their symptoms

BY Cynthia DeMarco

June 19, 2024

The most common symptoms of pancreatic cancer are pain in your abdomen or back, weight loss and jaundice.  

But these issues can also...

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Tubes of yellow sunscreen with white caps against a yellow background

How does sunscreen work? Understanding UV protection

BY Gina Van Thomme and Kellie Bramlet Blackburn

June 18, 2024

The sun’s ultraviolet radiation damages skin cells, which can lead to sunburn, early aging and even skin cancer. Thankfully, sunscreen...

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A graphic showing a PET scan.

Standardized uptake value (SUV) numbers on PET scans: What do they mean?

BY Sarah Zizinia

June 17, 2024

An FDG PET scan uses a radiotracer to measure things like blood flow, oxygen use and sugar metabolism in your body. It shows how your tissues...

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Student extern and blood donor Fernando Langer stands with arm around his late father, Harald

Student extern donates blood to honor late father

BY Andréa Bolt

June 14, 2024

Not even the stress of finals week could stop Fernando Langer from giving blood. That’s how strongly the importance of giving back is ingrained...

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Pancreatic cancer survivor Helene Andrews-Polymenis (center) with her husband, Michael, and APRN Morgan Bruno

Pancreatic cancer survivor finds hope in cancer research

BY Kellie Bramlet Blackburn

June 13, 2024

Helene Andrews-Polymenis finds hope in cancer research.

Like many cancer survivors, she often feels some anxiety when she thinks about...

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A silver eyedropper leaks a clear acid solution on a turquoise background

Chemical peels: Are they safe for cancer patients?

BY Cynthia DeMarco

June 12, 2024

Chemical peels have been credited with everything from eliminating wrinkles and acne scars to stimulating cell growth and reversing sun damage...

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Keith Burchfield with his chocolate lab, Coco.

Prostate cancer survivor grateful for stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT)

BY Karen Vollmering

June 11, 2024

With a family history of prostate cancer, Keith Burchfield did not wait to talk to his doctor about the risks and benefits of early prostate...

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Cartoon hands break cigarette in half

What's the best way to quit smoking?

BY Gina Van Thomme and Danielle Underferth

June 10, 2024

Smoking is on the decline. But if you are one of the 28 million Americans still smoking, you probably know how hard it is to quit. </...

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Rear view of young child wearing a red bucket hat, white long-sleeve shirt and lime green swim suit playing in the sand at the beach

7 things to know about UPF, sun protection and clothing

BY Cynthia DeMarco

June 06, 2024

Protecting our skin from harmful ultraviolet (UV) light is a year-round job. It requires wearing the proper clothing, using sunscreen on exposed...

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Illustration of HPV virus

I have HPV. Now what?

BY Gina Van Thomme and Heather Alexander

June 05, 2024

We all hope the awkwardness is over after we get our Pap and HPV tests. So hearing that you have tested positive for HPV can be a blow...

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A variety of nutritious foods

5 ways MD Anderson is researching the link between food and cancer

BY Kellie Bramlet Blackburn

June 03, 2024

The relationship between what we eat and drink and our cancer risk is complex. It’s been the subject of research for decades.

“Nutrition...

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