Hereditary Colon Cancer

My uncle was just diagnosed with colon cancer, and I told my dad that he should get checked. He said he didn't have to because it wasn't hereditary. I have heard that it was. Does anyone know if it is or not?

Heredity DOES play a part. I went in for my first colonoscopy at 50.I was told to come back in 5 years. Last year my mom died of colon cancer. My doc says I should now be checked every 3 years. It does play a part. Your dad should get checked ASAP. And every 3 years thereafter.

2008-01-23 17:11:36 by Shay

Camila Shanahan, BS, MS, CGC Genetic Counselor discusses hereditary colon cancer syndromes.

Do you think my siblings and myself should have tests done in the future?
Mum passed away at the age of 60, diagnosed with colon cancer at 58. I am 38years old. So what would be a good age to have a test done?

yes. colon cancer is hereditary. it runs in my family too. just make sure you have regular check-ups and tests so if something pops up, you can treat it before it gets bad. sorry about your mom. have your siblings get tests regularly too. hope i helped

2007-01-02 08:44:10 by superstar68

Price: $5.95 $5.95

Many years ago my father died of colon cancer,
Last year I lost my mother to lung cancer and this year I have just recently lost my brother to lung cancer .
I do not smoke ( never have ) but I grew up in smokey apts.
Can colon and lung cancers be hereditary ?

A hereditary disease is a disease caused by an abnormality in an individual's DNA which is inherited genetically. Although cancer is not caused by single gene inheritance like cystic fibrosis or sickle cell anemia, some types of cancer do exhibit multifactorial inheritance, which is a type of inheritance that is caused by a combination of environmental factors and mutations in multiple genes. Therefore, YES, certain types of cancer are hereditary.-

Current scientific opinion is that cancer is a disease caused by mutations in DNA or changes in the way certain genes are expressed, so by its very nature, cancer can be hereditary. However, you must also understand that these mutations can be in either somatic cells (cells in your body pretty much everywhere except your reproductive organs) or they can be in both somatic and germ cells (cells which make eggs and sperm). Should the genetic abnormality which is contributing to cancer development be in germ cells, this abnormality can be passed from parent to child upon conception and is considered hereditary. Realize that everyone has some chance of developing cancer and that most cancers occur sporadically or by chance in only somatic cells. However, because hereditary cancer exhibits multifactorial inheritance, a person who has inherited such a gene mutation as described above, will not necessarily develop cancer but will have an increased risk to develop cancer in their lifetime.

There is a diverse array of the hereditary components which increase your risk to developing cancers, but types of cancer with a strong hereditary component (called familial cancers), include breast and ovarian cancers caused by inherited mutations in the BRCA1 or BRCA2 genes, or colon cancer caused by familial adenomatous polyposis, which is an inherited mutation in the APC gene. Inheritance of mutations in the APC gene will lead to the development of colon cancer in more than 90% of patients by the time they are 40 and is the classic example of a hereditary cancer.-

2007-10-17 05:01:39 by lcb

Price: $9.95 $9.95

my mother has skin cancer can i get it from just being her daughter? other illnesses have been breast cancer, colon cancer and kidney stones. are those hereditary?

What is Skin Cancer?
Skin cancer is the most common form of malignant tumor that occurs in humans. It is characterized by the abnormal growth of skin cells that expand to form tumors in the skin.
Accounting for nearly half of all cancers, skin cancer is the most common of all.
The rate of new skin cancers diagnosed in the U.S. each year has doubled since 1973.
It’s important to detect skin cancer early when it is most likely to be completely cured.
http://www.nhskin.com/cfml/mohs.html

2009-03-30 15:58:23 by hunna <3

the blood is bright red which is usually hemorrhoids but my dad was diagnosed with colon cancer last year. i know it can be hereditary but i'm only 17. is it possible to have cancer at such a young age? and i don't know if i can go to a doctor because i don't think i have health insurance right now. i've noticed the blood twice, today and yesterday. does anyone have any advice.

Have you not heard of children with cancer? See your doctor ASAP.

2008-08-16 12:59:44 by blah