Recommendations for reducing the risk of colorectal cancer include:

• completing the National Bowel Cancer Screening Program (NBCSP) at-home bowel cancer test every two years if aged 50–74 years
• eating a healthy diet, including plenty of vegetables, fruit and whole grains while minimising intake of red meat, barbequed/grilled meat and processed meat
• maintaining a healthy body weight
• undertaking regular physical activity
• avoiding or limiting alcohol intake
• not smoking.

For all people aged 50–70 years, including those at average risk of colorectal cancer, aspirin should be actively considered to prevent colorectal cancer, in conjunction with other comorbidities. A low dose (100–300 mg per day) is recommended for at least 2.5 years (Cancer Council Australia Colorectal Cancer Guidelines Working Party 2019). Benefit for cancer prevention (though shorter for cardiovascular risk) is evident only 10 years after initiation, so a life expectancy of at least 10 years should be taken into consideration in the advice to use aspirin (Cancer Council Australia Colorectal Cancer Guidelines Working Party 2019).