Colon Cancer Prevention (cont.)
Who should consider genetic counseling and testing?
Genetic counseling followed by genetic testing should be considered for
individuals as well as their family members when there are:
- Individuals in the family with early onset of colon
cancer, before age 50
- Individuals in the family with numerous colon polyps
- Families in which multiple members have colon cancer
- Families with members with numerous colon polyps
- Families with members having colon cancers at young
ages
- Families with members having certain non-colon
cancers such as cancers of the uterus, thyroid, ureters, ovaries, small
intestine, etc.
Genetic testing without prior counseling is discouraged
because of the extensive family education that is involved and the complicated
nature of interpreting the test results.
Why is genetic counseling and testing important in hereditary colon cancer syndromes?
Patients who have hereditary colon cancer syndromes usually
have no symptoms and are unaware that they have colon polyps or early colon
cancers. They usually will develop colon cancers early in life (often before
ages 40-50). Therefore, to prevent colon cancers in patients with hereditary
colon cancer syndromes, colon screening must begin early. For example, patients
with FAP should have annual flexible sigmoidoscopies starting at age 12,
patients with AFAP should have annual colonoscopies starting at age 25, and
patients with HNPCC should have colonoscopies beginning at age 25 (or 10 years
younger than the earliest colon cancer diagnosed in the family, whichever is
earlier). The current screening recommendations for the general population
(fecal occult blood testing, flexible sigmoidoscopy, and colonoscopy beginning at ages 40-50) are
inadequate for most patients with hereditary colon cancer syndromes.
Genetic counseling and testing are important to identify
patients and family members with hereditary colon cancer syndromes so that
screening with flexible sigmoidoscopies and colonoscopies can begin early and,
if necessary, the colon can be removed surgically to prevent colon cancer.
Moreover, depending on which hereditary colon cancer syndrome is present, early
screening for other types of cancer such as ovarian, uterine, stomach, ureter, and thyroid may be
appropriate.
Next: What can be done now to prevent colorectal cancer? »
- Colonoscopy - Learn about the colonscopy procedure, what it is, why it is performed, preparation, complications, alternatives and the after effects of the screening exam on MedicineNet.com
- Colon Cancer - Get the facts on colon cancer (colorectal cancer) causes, symptoms, diagnosis (colonoscopy), prevention, treatment, statistics, screening, stages and survival rates.
- Colon Cancer Screening - Colon cancer screening include colonoscopy, fecal occult blood tests, flexible sigmoidoscopy, virtual colonoscopy, and air contrast barium enema.
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