Living with Familial colorectal cancer
A pattern of colon cancer in a family, sometimes caused by inherited gene changes.
Understanding Familial colorectal cancer
Most colon cancer occurs with little or no family history. About 3 to 5 percent is considered hereditary. In some families the gene change is not known. Another 10 to 30 percent of people have a strong family history but no known gene change, and shared genes and environment may play a role.
Signs & symptoms
GARD doesn't list specific symptoms for this condition yet.
Not everyone has every symptom. GARD's list comes from the Human Phenotype Ontology.
Diagnosis
- 1Talk with your doctor
Share the symptoms you've noticed, when they started and your family health history. Notes and photos can help.
- 2See a specialist
Your doctor may refer you to a specialist who knows rare conditions.
- 3Ask which tests can help
Your care team will decide which exams and tests can confirm the diagnosis.
- 4Connect with expert centers
Fight Colorectal Cancer and FORCE: Facing Our Risk of Cancer Empowered may keep lists of experts for this condition.
Care & treatment
- Care team
- A doctor familiar with rare conditions, plus specialists as needed
- Expert care
- Expert lists: Fight Colorectal Cancer, FORCE: Facing Our Risk of Cancer Empowered
- Treatment
- GARD doesn't list specific treatments for this condition. Your care team will tailor care to your symptoms.
- Research
- Clinical trials and observational studies may be options. See the research section below.
General information, not medical advice. Your care team makes the decisions.
Everyday life
Living with a rare condition is easier with support.
- Connect with Fight Colorectal Cancer and other patient organizations
- Keep notes on symptoms, changes and questions for appointments
- Ask about patient registries that help research
- Look into financial aid and travel resources for care visits
Quick facts
Hereditary cases are caused by changes in genes such as APC, MYH, MLH1, MSH2, MSH6, PMS2, and others. In many families, the cause is not known.
Also known as: hereditary colorectal cancer
Patient organizations
- Fight Colorectal CancerFamilial colorectal cancer · United States
- FORCE: Facing Our Risk of Cancer EmpoweredFamilial colorectal cancer · United States
- Colon Cancer AllianceFamilial colorectal cancer · United States
You are more than your diagnosis
Perspectives from people navigating life with Familial colorectal cancer.
Explore research for Familial colorectal cancer
Explore actively recruiting Familial colorectal cancer studies with HealthSpark.
Find actively recruiting studies for Familial colorectal cancer with HealthSpark. Share your city to explore research near you.
- Recruiting studies from ClinicalTrials.gov
- Share your city to look for research near you
- Eligibility is confirmed by the study team
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Powered by HealthSpark, our AI chat helper · Study information from ClinicalTrials.gov · Eligibility is confirmed by the study team.
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