What is the true cause of colon cancer?

Well vitamin D deficiency is shown to be a risk factor. Black skinned people have more colon cancer (and other cancers) and have a high incidence of vitamin D deficiency. Certain diets promote colon cancer - high in fat and red meat. My grandfather died of colon cancer and ate a lot of red meat and for many years prior to his death, he didn't go out into the sun (lack of vitamin D). I believe a combination of both did him in.

I'm sorry, but just because you don't 'buy' an argument doesn't mean it's not true. Many cancers, including colon cancers, run in families. That's not an accident. Not everyone is 'born with healthy intestines and genes," or there would be no birth defects of any kind -- which are caused primarily by genetic defects. Scientists have already discovered the gene that makes some women much more susceptible to breast cancer, and you can be tested for it. It's very likely that a gene is also responsible for many other cancers, including this one, and hopefully that one will be found as well. I believe the research you're talking about shows that consuming high levels of anti-oxidants such as found in tea LESSEN the probability of getting cancer. If anyone could prove absolutely that their product PREVENTED cancer, they'd be the richest people in the world, and we would all be taking it. The best way to 'prevent' colon cancer is by having a colonoscopy, in which doctors can find the polyps that become cancerous. Not fun -- but neither is cancer. Take your pick.

I'm sorry, but just because you don't 'buy' an argument doesn't mean it's not true. Many cancers, including colon cancers, run in families. That's not an accident. Not everyone is 'born with healthy intestines and genes," or there would be no birth defects of any kind -- which are caused primarily by genetic defects. Scientists have already discovered the gene that makes some women much more susceptible to breast cancer, and you can be tested for it. It's very likely that a gene is also responsible for many other cancers, including this one, and hopefully that one will be found as well. I believe the research you're talking about shows that consuming high levels of anti-oxidants such as found in tea LESSEN the probability of getting cancer. If anyone could prove absolutely that their product PREVENTED cancer, they'd be the richest people in the world, and we would all be taking it. The best way to 'prevent' colon cancer is by having a colonoscopy, in which doctors can find the polyps that become cancerous. Not fun -- but neither is cancer. Take your pick.

I am a medical student and have a masters degree from a comprehensive cancer institute. Cancer happens when your DNA acquires enough mutations for the genes that regulate the cell cycle. This causes the cell to lose the ability to control cell growth. These mutations can occur in the following ways: 1. randomly, just a mistake in DNA replication - these increase with AGE 2. inherited genetically 3. exposure to a mutagen- something that messes up the DNA. This category includes free radicals, ionizing radiation, and chemicals like those in smoke, and also those found in some things we eat. There are carcinogens - cancer causing chemicals - IN ALL BURNED FOOD (like toast!), ALL GRILLED FOOD, ALL PICKLED FOOD, etc. This is a well-established fact. There are thousands of products we use and eat all the time which have been shown to be carcinogenic (when used in very high concentrations in laboratory experiments). This doesn't mean you should stop eating them, but you should have a varied diet, preferably one rich in anti-oxidants. Whether or not someone gets cancer depends on the amount of genetic "screw ups" that occur from each of these categories. For example, I could have a random mutation added to a few inherited mutations and I get cancer. Or, I could have a perfect set up DNA inherited from mom and pop, no random mutations, but I eat a diet of processed, smoked, preserved, pickled food my whole life, and smoke for 10 years, and wind up with cancer. There's no one cause, but many.

The same cause as all cancers, a run down stressed out body, causing cells that usually are handled by a healthy immune system, to attack the weakest link, ie. colon, breast, liver. Cancer is telling you to change something, it takes time, so forget the quick chemo fix, and in so doing avoid the weakening side effects that come from only treating symptoms.

Cancer occurs when cells malform while they are being created. Sometimes they are dissolved back into the body, sometimes they continue to create malformed cells causing cancer. If you keep yourself regular by easting well and pooping often, you have less of a chance of getting colon cancer.

No one knows what causes cancer. Less than 10% of all cancers are hereditary. However I do not understand why you do not buy that it is hereditary or genetics. There is no argument that this does play a factor in some cases. Although rare, 100% of patients with familial adenomatous polyposis will develop colon cancer by the time they reach 55 years old. There is also hereditary nonpolyposis colon cancer which has “hereditary” in its name for a reason. There are several risk factors for colon cancer, but if you have one or all of them it does not mean you will get it. As Sierraslim said, the best thing you can do to try to prevent it is to have regular colonoscopies.

No one knows what causes cancer. Less than 10% of all cancers are hereditary. However I do not understand why you do not buy that it is hereditary or genetics. There is no argument that this does play a factor in some cases. Although rare, 100% of patients with familial adenomatous polyposis will develop colon cancer by the time they reach 55 years old. There is also hereditary nonpolyposis colon cancer which has “hereditary” in its name for a reason. There are several risk factors for colon cancer, but if you have one or all of them it does not mean you will get it. As Sierraslim said, the best thing you can do to try to prevent it is to have regular colonoscopies.

The same cause as all cancers, a run down stressed out body, causing cells that usually are handled by a healthy immune system, to attack the weakest link, ie. colon, breast, liver. Cancer is telling you to change something, it takes time, so forget the quick chemo fix, and in so doing avoid the weakening side effects that come from only treating symptoms.