Hereditary Colorectal Cancer

Learning that you or your family may have an inherited risk for colorectal cancer can be unsettling, but it also provides a powerful opportunity to be proactive about your health. Understanding your risk factors is the first step toward prevention and early detection.

woman shows signs of stomach pain

What is Hereditary Colorectal Cancer?

Hereditary colorectal cancer refers to cancer that is caused by specific genetic mutations passed down through families. While most colorectal cancers are sporadic, some cases are linked to these inherited genes.

Hereditary colorectal cancer occurs when a cancer-related gene is passed from parent to child. While the specific gene responsible is often unclear, understanding your family’s medical history is crucial.

Having a family member with colon or rectal cancer significantly increases your lifetime risk of developing colorectal cancer. It may also raise the risk of other cancers.

Common Hereditary Syndromes

Several genetic syndromes are known to increase the risk of colorectal cancer. The two most common are:

This is the most common cause of hereditary colorectal cancer. It results from a mutation in one of several genes responsible for repairing DNA. People with Lynch syndrome have a significantly increased risk of developing colorectal, endometrial, stomach, ovarian, and other cancers.

Familial Adenomatous Polyposis is caused by a mutation in the APC gene. FAP causes hundreds to thousands of precancerous polyps to develop in the colon and rectum.

Other, much rarer syndromes also exist. Understanding your family's health history is the most important clue to determining if you may be at risk.

Signs You May Be at Increased Risk

Because these conditions are genetic, the primary indicator is your family's medical history. You may have an increased risk for a hereditary colorectal cancer if you or a close relative has a history of:

  • Multiple family members with colorectal cancer.
  • A known genetic mutation for a cancer syndrome in the family.
  • A personal history of numerous (more than 10-20) colorectal polyps.

Diagnosis and Genetic Counseling

If your personal or family history suggests a possibility of hereditary colorectal cancer, a thorough evaluation is the next step.

The evaluation process includes:

The cancer history in your family will be carefully mapped across several generations to identify patterns that suggest a hereditary risk.

This is a simple blood or saliva test used to look for specific mutations in genes associated with cancer syndromes.

Based on your history and test results, a customized screening plan may be created for you.

Management and Prevention Strategies

The goal of identifying a hereditary syndrome is to prevent cancer from developing or to catch it at the earliest possible stage. Management is highly personalized based on the specific syndrome.

Strategies include:

Instead of starting colonoscopies at age 45, individuals with hereditary risk will begin much earlier and have them performed more frequently (often every 1-2 years).

For conditions like FAP, the risk of cancer is so high that preventative surgery to remove the colon is often recommended.

Depending on the syndrome, regular screening for other associated cancers (such as endometrial, ovarian, or stomach cancer) will be recommended.

Maintaining a healthy weight, eating a balanced diet, and avoiding smoking are important for everyone, but especially for those with an elevated cancer risk.

Hereditary Colorectal Cancer Screening in Westlake or Brooklyn, OH

Navigating a hereditary risk for cancer requires a trusted partner. The dedicated team at North Shore Gastroenterology is here to provide the expert knowledge, advanced screening technology, and compassionate support you and your family need.

Contact us today at (440) 808-1212 or request an appointment online to schedule a visit.