Genetic Counseling for Hereditary Colorectal Cancer
People who carry genetic mutations linked to hereditary colorectal cancer are the most likely to develop the disease. Individuals who carry the mutation that causes familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) have almost a 100% chance of developing colorectal cancer by age 45.
Someone who carries mutations linked to hereditary non-polyposis colorectal cancer (HNPCC) can have up to an 80% risk of developing the disease.
If a lot of your relatives have developed colorectal cancer, you should probably talk to your doctor about genetic counseling to see if you carry a gene that predisposes you to cancer of the colon or rectum.
Genetic Counseling for Ashkenazi Jews
Research has found a genetic mutation leading to colorectal cancer in Jewish people of Eastern European descent (Ashkenazi Jews). One study found the mutation (called the I1307K APC mutation) in about 10% of Ashkenazi Jews with colorectal cancer. If you're a Jewish person of Eastern European descent, you may want to consider genetic counseling. (Learn more about Ashkenazi Jews and colon cancer.)
Sources:
Colon Cancer: How is Colon Cancer Inherited? Genetic Health. 4 Aug. 2000. 23 Jun. 2006 [http://www.genetichealth.com/CRC_Colon_Cancer_Does_Colon_Cancer_Run_in_Families.shtml].
Colon Cancer: What Causes Colon Cancer? eHealthMD. Oct. 2004. 23 Jun. 2006 [http://www.ehealthmd.com/library/colon-cancer/Colon-Cancer_causes.html].
Colorectal Cancer Prevention and Treatment. National Foundation for Cancer Research. 23 Jun. 2006 [http://www2.nfcr.org/site/PageServer?pagename=cancers_colorectal].
Detailed Guide: Colon and Rectum Cancer: What Are the Risk Factors for Colorectal Cancer? American Cancer Society. 7 Mar. 2006. 23 Jun. 2006 [http://www.cancer.org/docroot/CRI/content/CRI_2_4_2X_What_are_the_risk_factors_for_colon_and_rectum_cancer.asp].
Overview: Colon and Rectum Cancer: What Causes Colorectal Cancer? American Cancer Society. 15 Mar. 2006. 23 Jun. 2006 [http://www.cancer.org/docroot/CRI/content/CRI_2_2_2X_What_causes_colorectal_cancer.asp?sitearea=].
