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what causes rectal cancer in women

Rectal cancer in women does not usually have one single “cause.” Instead, it develops over time from a mix of genetic changes and risk factors that affect the cells lining the rectum.

How rectal cancer starts

Rectal cancer begins when the cells in the inner lining of the rectum acquire DNA damage and start growing abnormally. These cells can form polyps (small growths) that may slowly turn into cancer over years if they are not found and removed.

In women, this basic process is the same as in men, but some risks (like certain gynecologic cancers or pelvic radiation) are more specific to women.

Main risk factors (women and men)

These factors raise the chance of rectal cancer in both women and men:

  • Older age (most cases occur after age 50, though younger cases are increasing).
  • Diet high in red and processed meats and low in fruits, vegetables, and fiber.
  • Obesity, especially excess fat around the waist.
  • Physical inactivity or a very sedentary lifestyle.
  • Smoking (linked to a higher risk of colorectal cancer and worse outcomes).
  • Heavy alcohol use (for example, three or more drinks per day).
  • Type 2 diabetes that is not well controlled.
  • Prior radiation therapy to the abdomen or pelvis for another cancer.

These are risk factors, not guarantees; many women with one or more of them never develop rectal cancer, and some women with rectal cancer had no obvious risks.

Women‑specific and hormonal factors

Some risks relate more directly to women’s health history:

  • Personal history of ovarian, endometrial, or other pelvic cancers can be linked with inherited syndromes that also raise rectal cancer risk.
  • Pelvic or abdominal radiation for gynecologic cancers may damage rectal cells and increase later colorectal cancer risk.
  • Certain inherited syndromes (like Lynch syndrome) increase the risk of both rectal cancer and cancers of the uterus and ovaries, so family patterns of “women’s cancers” plus colon/rectal cancers can be a clue.

Hormonal factors (like use of birth control pills or hormone replacement) are still being studied; research is mixed, and they are not considered major proven causes compared with the factors above.

Genetic and family factors

Some women are born with changes in genes that make rectal cancer more likely:

  • Inherited syndromes such as:
    • Lynch syndrome (hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer).
* Familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP).
  • Family history:
    • A parent, sibling, or child with colon or rectal cancer, especially before age 50.
* Several blood relatives with colorectal or related cancers (endometrial, ovarian, gastric, urinary tract, pancreatic).

These genetic changes affect how cells control growth and repair damage, increasing the chance that polyps and cancers form.

Inflammatory and medical conditions

Certain long‑term medical issues in or near the bowel also raise risk:

  • Inflammatory bowel disease (ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease affecting the colon/rectum), especially when present for 8 or more years.
  • History of multiple colon or rectal polyps.
  • Chronic inflammation from these conditions makes it more likely that DNA damage accumulates in the rectal lining.

Can rectal cancer be prevented?

You can’t change age or genes, but women can lower their risk by:

  • Getting recommended colorectal screening (colonoscopy or other tests), which can find and remove polyps before they turn cancerous.
  • Not smoking and limiting alcohol.
  • Maintaining a healthy weight, staying physically active, and eating more fiber‑rich fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, with less red and processed meat.
  • Talking with a doctor or genetic counselor about family history to see if genetic testing or earlier screening is needed.

If you or someone you know has symptoms like rectal bleeding, a change in bowel habits, unexplained weight loss, or persistent abdominal or pelvic pain, it’s important to see a healthcare professional promptly for proper evaluation.

Bottom note: Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.