CLEVELAND -- Colon cancer is a deadly disease, but is typically associated with seniors. But NewsChannel5's Alicia Booth reported that certain risk factors can increase the chance of developing it at a younger age.

Lisa Austin, a 36-year-old stay at home mom, has a condition called colitis, a gastro-intestinal problem that has already put her in the hospital three times.

Dr. Greg Cooper, of University Hospitals, says it is important for people diagnosed with bowel problems to know that long-term inflammatory bowel disease, no matter how mild, can result in a much higher risk for colon cancer.

Cooper also says it can cause people to develop it at much younger ages.

"They tend to develop it in their 30s or 40s, whereas colon cancer … with the general population develops in people typically over 60, so it's about 20 years younger," said Cooper.

Austin now gets a colonoscopy every year. Though she was scared at first, she says the test is painless and invaluable in detecting signs of developing colon cancer.

Colonoscopies can also actually prevent colon cancer by removing polyps before they turn into cancer.

Inflammatory bowel disease is not the only thing to put you at risk for colon cancer.

A diet high in fat and cholesterol and smoking are also big risk factors.

For more information about colon cancer, call University Hospitals at (800) 641-2422.

For more information on colon cancer, click here.