Unfortunately, nobody is immune to cancer. As many as 15 to 20% of colorectal cancer cases may be hereditary. For example, if a family member (parents, siblings, grandparents and cousins) has had colorectal, breast, ovarian or uterine cancers; colon polyps; or inflammatory bowel disease, you may be at an increased risk of developing colorectal cancer.

Share your family health information with your physician to determine when you should begin screening for colorectal cancer, and if you should be screened more often than general guidelines suggest.

Even if you do not have a family history of the disease, you can greatly reduce your risk of getting colorectal cancer by making healthy choices:

	At least 30 minutes three times a week is recommended. Consult your physician about an exercise regimen that is right for you.
	Generous consumption of fruits and vegetables contribute to overall good health and may also reduce your risk of cancer.
	Recent research has found that daily calcium and folic acid supplements, taken over a long period of time, may reduce your chances of developing colorectal cancer.
	Taking an aspirin a day also has been proven to reduce the development of pre-cancerous polyp growth. Early studies have shown similar risk reductions for newer, aspirin-like prescription pain medications (sometimes called Cox-2 inhibitors). But, the decision to take a daily aspirin or other pain-relieving medication should be discussed with your doctor.
	Smoking not only causes lung cancer (the #1 cause of cancer-related deaths for men and women), but is also a major risk factor for colorectal cancer (the #2 cause of cancer-related deaths for men and women). If you need to quit smoking, your physician can help.
	If you are a woman, and are past the age of menopause, studies have shown a promising link between hormone replacement therapy and reduced development colorectal polyps. However, because HRT may increase certain health risks, the decision to take hormone replacement therapy should be discussed with your doctor.