Intertwined figures symbolizing spouses, with a colon-shaped symbol representing shared colorectal cancer risk and the importance of early detection.

Are You at Risk? Understanding Colorectal Cancer Risk in Spouses

Theo Raines in Health & Wellness December 2025 • 4 min read.

"New research suggests spouses of colorectal cancer patients may face a higher risk. Learn about the potential connection and what it means for you."

Colorectal cancer (CRC) screening is crucial, and much attention is given to overcoming barriers to its adoption. While social and economic factors play a role, it's equally important to understand the very risks that screening aims to detect. New research has brought to light a concerning trend: an elevated risk of CRC among spouses of individuals diagnosed with the disease.

It's well-established that lifestyle and dietary habits significantly influence CRC development. Given that spouses often share these habits, researchers have begun to investigate whether this shared environment contributes to a higher risk for both partners. With most CRC patients diagnosed in their late 60s to early 80s, and considering that many spouses have shared decades together, this connection warrants closer examination.

Historically, focus has been on the psychological and social support spouses provide to CRC patients. However, the possibility that spouses themselves might be at increased risk has been largely unexplored. A recent observation from a colorectal surgery unit has shed light on this potential connection.

The Emerging Evidence: Shared Risk Factors in Spouses

Intertwined figures symbolizing spouses, with a colon-shaped symbol representing shared colorectal cancer risk and the importance of early detection.

A colorectal surgery unit, managing 250-300 CRC cases annually, encountered five couples where both partners had either concurrent colorectal cancer or advanced adenomas. This observation, while anecdotal, raises important questions about shared risk factors within couples. Specifically, the unit noted:

The occurrences highlight a pattern that calls for further investigation into shared environmental and lifestyle factors that could be influencing these diagnoses. To futher, it was uncovered:

A younger couple in their 50s: Both had locally advanced rectal cancers.
Another couple in their 70s: Both had very early sigmoid cancer.
One partner with stage IV sigmoid colon cancer: The other had an advanced sigmoid colon adenoma.
Two other couples in their 60s and 70s: Both had concurrent CRCs.

These cases lead to a critical question: how many other spouses of CRC patients might be unknowingly harboring CRC or polyps, simply because they haven't undergone screening? It is also a sign that shared lifestyle and diet plays a significant role in colorectal cancer.

What This Means for You: Taking Proactive Steps

This emerging evidence underscores the importance of considering spouses as potentially high-risk individuals. By raising awareness of this possible increased risk, there is hope that more research will be conducted to confirm the findings and identify the specific shared risk factors involved. Understanding these factors could lead to targeted prevention strategies and earlier detection.

The observations highlight the need for increased screening among spouses of colorectal cancer patients. If your partner has been diagnosed with CRC, it's crucial to discuss your own screening options with your doctor. Early detection is key to successful treatment.

Ultimately, this research could significantly influence the future of colorectal cancer screening guidelines and counseling. By acknowledging the potential risk to spouses, healthcare professionals can develop more comprehensive strategies to protect entire families. The findings emphasize the importance of open communication, shared responsibility, and proactive healthcare within couples.

About this Article -

This article was crafted using a human-AI hybrid and collaborative approach. AI assisted our team with initial drafting, research insights, identifying key questions, and image generation. Our human editors guided topic selection, defined the angle, structured the content, ensured factual accuracy and relevance, refined the tone, and conducted thorough editing to deliver helpful, high-quality information.See our About page for more information.

This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.1007/s00384-018-2966-1, Alternate LINK

Title: Could Spouses Of Colorectal Cancer Patients Possess Higher Risk Of Developing Colorectal Cancer?

Subject: Gastroenterology

Journal: International Journal of Colorectal Disease

Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC

Authors: Ker-Kan Tan, Gerald C. H. Koh

Published: 2018-01-17

Everything You Need To Know

Does being married to someone with colorectal cancer increase my own risk?

Recent findings suggest that spouses of individuals diagnosed with colorectal cancer may face a higher risk of developing the disease themselves. This is thought to be due to shared lifestyle and dietary habits. The observation from a colorectal surgery unit, where multiple couples were diagnosed with either concurrent colorectal cancer or advanced adenomas, points to this elevated risk. It is not definitively proven but warrants further investigation.

What specific examples suggest a possible link between colorectal cancer in spouses?

The colorectal surgery unit's observation of multiple couples with concurrent colorectal cancer or advanced adenomas highlights the potential impact of shared environmental and lifestyle factors. Specifically, the unit encountered couples with locally advanced rectal cancers, early sigmoid cancers, and advanced sigmoid colon adenomas. These instances suggest that spouses might share risk factors that influence colorectal cancer development.

What steps should I take if my spouse has been diagnosed with colorectal cancer, considering this new information?

The observation from the colorectal surgery unit underscores the need for spouses of colorectal cancer patients to consider themselves potentially at higher risk. This awareness can prompt proactive steps such as earlier and more frequent colorectal cancer screening. Understanding the specific shared risk factors through further research could lead to targeted prevention strategies and improved early detection rates for both individuals.

How do shared lifestyle and dietary habits contribute to colorectal cancer risk among spouses?

Lifestyle and dietary habits, which are often shared between spouses, significantly influence the development of colorectal cancer. Shared habits can include similar diets high in processed foods and low in fiber, as well as similar levels of physical activity and smoking habits. The observation from the colorectal surgery unit reinforces the idea that these shared environmental factors may contribute to the observed increased risk of colorectal cancer among spouses.

What are the limitations of the evidence suggesting increased colorectal cancer risk in spouses, and what other factors are important?

While the study is based on observations from a colorectal surgery unit and not a comprehensive study, the information underscores the importance of screening and proactive healthcare. The observations, highlight the need for further research to determine the precise risk factors and to refine screening guidelines for spouses of those with colorectal cancer, but it is important to note this is not standard practice and more research needs to be done. Additionally, while it emphasizes shared risk factors, genetics, and the overall screening barriers, psychological factors, and access to care are also critical components to consider for spouses.