Prescription Health: Research shows diet can affect chances of colon cancer [Video]

Colorectal cancer is the second-highest cause of cancer in the U.S., and rates are expected to double in young people by 2030.

Doctors at the Cleveland Clinic say colon cancer has a broad range of symptoms, such as abdominal pain, diarrhea and weight loss — meaning it can go unnoticed for months, even years.

“We found that in young people, once they’re diagnosed with colorectal cancer, they’re diagnosed at a more advanced stage,” colorectal surgeon Dr. David Liska with the Cleveland Clinic said.

While family history plays a role in your risk of colon cancer, studies have shown what you eat matters.

“Some things that have been consistently shown to increase the risk for colorectal cancer are diets that are high in red meats and excessive alcohol intake,” Liska said.

Researchers at the University of California, San Diego, found that high-fat diets change gut bacteria and alter digestive molecules, causing …