African American Colon Cancer Risk Factors

African Americans have higher colon cancer risk factors than any other race. Here's what you should know about colorectal cancer.

Colorectal cancer, which includes cancers of the rectum and colon, is the third most common cancer in the United States. It’s also one of the deadliest. Colon cancer is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths among both men and women. Each year, more than 100,000 Americans are diagnosed with colon cancer, while over 50,000 people die.

While there are many colon cancer risk factors, your race may play a role as well. In the United States, African Americans are more likely than any other racial group to develop colorectal cancer, or cancer of the gastrointestinal system that includes both the rectum and the colon.

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Colon cancer risk factors for African Americans

African Americans are about 20 percent more likely to get colon cancer. They’re also 40 percent more likely to die from it, and they have the shortest survival rate for most cancers among any racial group in the U.S. Much of the difference in mortality is related to a lack of access to care, including the quality of screening and treatment.

Multiple research teams have looked for other causes of the connection between African Americans and colon cancer risk factors.

A study comparing colon and rectal cancers in Native American and African Americans found that a Native American’s risk of developing colorectal cancer was not only much lower: The two groups have significantly different diets. The differences cause changes in their gastrointestinal bacteria, leading researchers to theorize that the interaction between dietary and bacterial factors affects colon cancer risk.

Diet is strongly linked to culture and socioeconomic class, both of which are linked to race, possibly accounting for why forms of colorectal cancer in African Americans are more common.

Reducing colon cancer risk factors

The links between forms of colorectal cancers and diet are good news. Because lifestyle and genetics appear to influence these cancers, evidence suggests that lifestyle changes can reduce the risk of colon cancer.

Research comparing the risk of colorectal cancers in African Americans to that of rural South Africans examined the effect of switching the two groups’ diets. When the South African participants ate a typical low-fiber, high-fat, high animal protein Western diet, their risk for colon cancer rose. Their gut bacteria also changed to resemble that of African Americans in the study.

The African American participants, by contrast, consumed more fiber and less fat, as well as limiting animal protein. Within two weeks, researchers found that gut bacteria linked to higher risk of colon cancer decreased for African Americans on the new diet, and that participants showed lower levels of the gut inflammation that can cause cellular mutations.

Both studies demonstrate the importance of diet, intestinal bacteria, and gut health in understanding the links between African Americans and colon cancer risk factors.

Rex Gaskins, PhD, a professor at the University of Illinois, has co-led research on why African Americans are more likely to develop forms of colorectal cancer. Gaskins noted that scientists are "beginning to connect the dots between these dietary factors and one's risk of developing colon cancer risk. The microbes that inhabit the colon are part of the equation and should not be overlooked."

Symptoms of colon cancer

In its early stages, colon cancer often does not cause symptoms. The first sign that colon cancer is developing is usually the growth of tumors or precancerous polyps in the large intestine. Because the symptoms of colon cancer are not always obvious, the ACS recommends regular screening to look for signs of cancer before it develops, especially for high risk groups like African Americans.

Once the cancer progresses, symptoms can become very noticeable. These are primarily related to the gastrointestinal system and can include rectal bleeding, blood in stool, a change in bowel habits lasting more than a few days, and persistent abdominal pain. Colon cancer can also cause fatigue or unexplained weight loss.

Many of these changes can indicate other gastrointestinal conditions, so it is important to speak with a healthcare professional if you experience anything that might be a symptom of colon cancer. Your doctor will be able to recommend any necessary testing or treatment, including screening for cancer.

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