Inherited colorectal cancer is caused by genes that can be passed from one generation to the next.  Family members who inherit these genes have a high lifetime risk of developing colorectal polyps, colorectal cancer, and other types of cancer. 

Inherited colorectal cancer is more likely to occur at an early age, may occur in several members of a family, and may cause people to develop cancer more than once.

Colorectal cancer can be prevented by careful screening and is easiest to treat when detected early.  When colorectal cancer runs in the family, screening begins earlier and is repeated more frequently.  If cancer does occur, treatment options may be different.

Often, it is best to communicate directly with the affected people in your family as they will know the most about their medical history.  If that is not possible, try to find the person most likely to know about their condition and treatment.

 Useful information to collect includes:

• The names of people who have developed cancer or other medical conditions such as gastrointestinal polyps.
• How they are related to you.
• The age when they first developed the condition or other medical problems.
• Their current age.
• If they are deceased, their age and cause of death.

Begin with your immediate family (parents and children; brothers and sisters) and then collect information on more distant relatives.

How do I know if I am at risk for colorectal cancer?

The risk of developing colorectal cancer is not the same for everyone. Knowing your risk is important because it affects the age you should begin screening, the type of screening, and how often you need to be screened. You may be at risk for inherited colorectal cancer if:

1. You or a close relative had colorectal or endometrial (lining of the uterus) cancer before age 50.
2. You had colorectal cancer more than once or you had colorectal cancer AND an associated type of cancer.
3. You and/or several closely-related family members had colorectal polyps, colorectal cancer, endometrial cancer, or an associated type of cancer.
4. You or a close relative had colorectal polyps before age 40.
   

People with hereditary colorectal cancer may have a high lifetime risk for colorectal and other  cancers.

 An individual screening plan based on your risk can help you to prevent cancer.

You may benefit from a genetic evaluation by a genetic counselor, doctor, or health-care professional with special training in hereditary cancer risk assessment.

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