The exact cause of CRC is unknown, but it likely results from an interaction between lifestyle and genetic factors that causes unregulated intestinal cell division. When the process of cell division isn’t controlled properly, the cells can form a tumor. Some evidence suggests that oxidative stress damages cellular DNA, proteins, and lipids, causing mutations that lead to unregulated growth.[1] Finally, Lynch syndrome is an inheritable genetic mutation that significantly increases the risk of developing CRC.
What causes CRC?
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•Last Updated: May 16, 2025
The exact cause of colorectal cancer (CRC) is unknown, but it is believed to arise from a combination of lifestyle and genetic factors that lead to uncontrolled intestinal cell division, potentially influenced by oxidative stress. Additionally, Lynch syndrome is a hereditary genetic mutation that greatly increases the risk of developing CRC.