Genetics
If a biological family member has been diagnosed with colorectal cancer, your risk may be higher.
Genetics
If a biological family member has been diagnosed with colorectal cancer, your risk may be higher.
Most cases of colon cancer and rectal cancer are not considered hereditary, meaning you inherited a mutated gene from a biological family member. When it comes to colorectal cancer:
Most cases of colon cancer and rectal cancer are not considered hereditary, meaning you inherited a mutated gene from a biological family member. When it comes to colorectal cancer:
Sporadic Colorectal Cancer
Sporadic colorectal cancer is what occurs in the majority of colorectal cancer cases. Sporadic colorectal cancers:
- Form later in life (after age 50)
- Don’t have a clear familial pattern
- Don’t have an inherited gene mutation
Most cancer is sporadic, meaning you start with healthy genes and genetic mutations accumulate over time (typically due to age and environment).
Sporadic Colorectal Cancer
Sporadic colorectal cancer is what occurs in the majority of colorectal cancer cases. Sporadic colorectal cancers:
- Form later in life (after age 50)
- Don’t have a clear familial pattern
- Don’t have an inherited gene mutation
Most cancer is sporadic, meaning you start with healthy genes and genetic mutations accumulate over time (typically due to age and environment).
Familial Colorectal Cancer
Family members may exhibit similar behaviors in terms of what they eat, their activity level, and their environmental exposures. This can lead to similar risks for developing colorectal cancer. When a family has a “cluster of cancers,” or multiple family members with cancer, it’s considered familial.
There may be multiple minor gene mutations in family members that lead to a slight increased cancer risk, but these lower-risk gene mutations are currently unknown.
Family Members Impacted
It’s critical to know if anyone in your family has been diagnosed with cancer, what type of cancer, and at what age. Your risk for cancer is increased depending on how closely related you are and how old they were when they were diagnosed.
First-Degree Blood Relatives
Second-Degree Blood Relatives
If you have a personal history, or if any of your blood relatives have been diagnosed with cancer before age 60, your risk may be doubled. Your risk may be even higher if a first-degree relative has cancer. It’s important to learn your family’s cancer history.
Familial Colorectal Cancer
Family members may exhibit similar behaviors in terms of what they eat, their activity level, and their environmental exposures. This can lead to similar risks for developing colorectal cancer. When a family has a “cluster of cancers,” or multiple family members with cancer, it’s considered familial.
There may be multiple minor gene mutations in family members that lead to a slight increased cancer risk, but these lower-risk gene mutations are currently unknown.
Family Members Impacted
It’s critical to know if anyone in your family has been diagnosed with cancer, what type of cancer, and at what age. Your risk for cancer is increased depending on how closely related you are and how old they were when they were diagnosed.
First-Degree Blood Relatives
Second-Degree Blood Relatives
If you have a personal history, or if any of your blood relatives have been diagnosed with cancer before age 60, your risk may be doubled. Your risk may be even higher if a first-degree relative has cancer. It’s important to learn your family’s cancer history.
Hereditary Colorectal Cancer
Hereditary colorectal cancer is caused by an inherited gene mutation. Knowing if your case of colorectal cancer is hereditary is extremely important because it can:
- Help you understand the underlying cause of your colorectal cancer.
- Tell you if you are at risk for developing other types of cancers.
- Alert blood relatives about their cancer risk.
How it Happens
Hereditary colorectal cancer occurs when a single gene mutation is passed down (inherited) through a family, leading to a potentially significant increased cancer risk among all family members. If you have a family history of colon or rectal cancer, it is important to learn if it is due to an inherited gene mutation so that each person in the family can follow recommended screening guidelines.
Types of Hereditary Colorectal Cancer
Hereditary Colorectal Cancer
Hereditary colorectal cancer is caused by an inherited gene mutation. Knowing if your case of colorectal cancer is hereditary is extremely important because it can:
- Help you understand the underlying cause of your colorectal cancer.
- Tell you if you are at risk for developing other types of cancers.
- Alert blood relatives about their cancer risk.
How it Happens
Hereditary colorectal cancer occurs when a single gene mutation is passed down (inherited) through a family, leading to a potentially significant increased cancer risk among all family members. If you have a family history of colon or rectal cancer, it is important to learn if it is due to an inherited gene mutation so that each person in the family can follow recommended screening guidelines.
Types of Hereditary Colorectal Cancer
What about Ulcerative Colitis?
Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a risk factor for colorectal cancer. Anyone with UC needs to ask a doctor about a colorectal cancer screening routine. Ulcerative colitis runs in families, and
doctors believe there’s a genetic tie.
What about Ulcerative Colitis?
Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a risk factor for colorectal cancer. Anyone with UC needs to ask a doctor about a colorectal cancer screening routine. Ulcerative colitis runs in families, and doctors believe there’s a genetic tie.
Learn about the impact of genetics on colorectal cancer with our Genetics Brochure.
Learn about the impact of genetics on colorectal cancer with our Genetics Brochure.
Family History Screening Guidelines
People with a family history or a gene mutation need different screening than those at regular risk for colon cancer. Ask your doctor and genetic counselor about screening based on your family history and genetic testing.
If you have one first-degree relative diagnosed with colorectal cancer before age 60, or two first-degree relatives diagnosed at any age, you need to get screened at age 40 OR 10 years younger than the earliest diagnosis in your family, whichever comes first.
For example, if your mother was diagnosed with colorectal cancer at age 65, you need to get screened at age 40. If your mother was diagnosed at age 35, you need to get screened at age 25.
After your initial screening, you will likely need to have a colonoscopy every five years. If your family goes through genetic testing, your screening recommendations may change based on test results.
Family History Screening Guidelines
People with a family history or a gene mutation need different screening than those at regular risk for colon cancer. Ask your doctor and genetic counselor about screening based on your family history and genetic testing.
If you have one first-degree relative diagnosed with colorectal cancer before age 60, or two first-degree relatives diagnosed at any age, you need to get screened at age 40 OR 10 years younger than the earliest diagnosis in your family, whichever comes first.
For example, if your mother was diagnosed with colorectal cancer at age 65, you need to get screened at age 40. If your mother was diagnosed at age 35, you need to get screened at age 25.
After your initial screening, you will likely need to have a colonoscopy every five years. If your family goes through genetic testing, your screening recommendations may change based on test results.
