Madeline Flamer-Banks has a history of colon cancer in her family that dates back generations. Her grandparents, parents and her aunt were diagnosed with the disease, and she lost her father to the ailment when she was 17.

"(Our family) knew something was wrong but it was too late," said the 38-year old administrative coordinator for Africana studies. "(Doctors) found (the cancer), gave it a year, and he was gone within eight months. A doctor then met with our whole family and told us the way we had to live so that we could try to prevent the cancer."

Colon cancer is a disease in which cancerous cells form and grow in the walls of the large intestine. The cause of colon cancer is uncertain, but many risk factors that may influence the development are known.

According to a recent study conducted by researchers at the Nassau University Medical Center in East Meadow, New York, young black males are at a much higher risk of colon cancer than whites or Hispanics of the same age. However, experts say the increasing number of cases among blacks may have a connection to genetics, diet and healthcare access.

The study, which sampled 177 people under the age of 50, found that 48 percent of blacks had precancerous polyps, a growth of tissue into the center of the colon or rectum. In contrast, 29 percent of whites and 27 percent of Hispanics had the growth.

If polyps are found, depending on the stage of the cancer and how far the tumor has spread through the layers of tissue, it can be removed through surgery or treated with chemotherapy. However, if not detected and treated early enough, the patient could die.

"(For young African Americans) it is not settled," said Dr. Sampson, a retired Stanford University oncologist. "It is probably a complex of both genetic and environmental causes."

The strongest environmental causes include dietary factors and others such as tobacco, which has a weaker effect, said Dr. Sampson.

Presence of mutated genes that cause familial colorectal cancer increases the risk of developing the disease by almost three times when two immediate family members have colon or rectum cancer, according to the Colon Cancer Association.

"(If it’s genetic) it’s like there’s a defect in the family genes," said Albert Angelo, health educator at SF State.

However, a diet high in red or processed meats, as well as obesity and inactivity increases the risk for colon cancer said Teresa Leu, a registered dietician at SF State.

Flamer-Banks links her late father’s disease to his poor diet.

While in the South, Flamer-Banks’ father ate large amounts of pork, particularly the feet and back fat because it was inexpensive and easy to find. He also started off his day with foods high in fat like bacon and put hot sauce and cha-cha (a sweet & spicy vegetable-based "flavor enhancer") on everything, said Flamer-Banks.

However, the connection between poor eating habits and the risk of colon cancer is still questionable.

"The interesting thing is that some studies show that diet is inconclusive," said Angelo. "Dietary factors that have been associated with colon cancer are high meat, high fat, low fiber diet. However, if you take those out and switch to a high fiber diet, it doesn’t really seem to reduce the risk."

Flamer-Banks said that affording proper medical insurance was also a part of the reason her parents didn’t take care of the disease faster.

In general, minority groups are at a greater risk of dying from colon cancer because they receive preventative care less often, and screening is a crucial step in preventing this disease, according to the CCA.

"There’s a racist structure of receiving healthcare," said Marc- Eddy Loristone, 29, cinema student. "We are historically associated with poverty and a lack of income."

But getting a colonoscopy, in which a doctor looks directly at the whole colon through a flexible scope, is essential in fighting this disease, experts say.

The incidence of colon cancer rises with age, and Sampson recommends people with a family history of the disease get a colonoscopy by age 40 or 50.

"People should pay attention to their bodies and check out your family history," said Flamer-Banks, who is due for a screening soon.