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Colorectal Cancer Genetics

For many years, cancer researchers have been collecting the family history of those diagnosed with cancer. By following these families over time, researchers have identified cancers which cluster around families. In addition, researchers are able to identify changes, alterations, in some cases mutations, in specific genes that appear to give rise to certain types of cancer, colon cancer among them.

This is not to say that all cancer is inherited. And even in the case of colon cancer, it has been found that the majority of people who have a family history of colon cancer only have had one relative with it. There is, however, a very small group, 1% of the general population, who do come from what are considered "high-risk families." These families have multiple relatives with colon cancer and, more importantly, those who have colon cancer develop it at a younger age than is the norm.

Genetics is a complicated topic, and genetics coupled with cancer is even more complicated. A comprehensive information guide has been developed to offer additional resources on this subject.

In addition, Cancer Genetics Clinic at the U-M Health System is for people who are concerned about their own risk or other family member's risk of cancer.

See Also:

• U-M, Israeli scientists report major advance in search for genes associated with colon cancer
  
  
• Colorectal Cancer Information
  
  
• Colorectal Cancer Screening

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