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Is colon cancer hereditary?
Content
Hereditary or genetic — What's the difference?
How does family history affect my colon cancer risk?
Are there specific symptoms of colon cancer that confirm it has been inherited genetically?
Can someone get colon cancer with no family history?
What hereditary syndromes cause colon cancer?
What genes are linked to colon cancer?
What is genetic testing for colon cancer?
When should screening begin if someone in the family has been diagnosed with colon cancer?
Are certain types of colon cancer more likely to be hereditary?
Can lifestyle changes reduce inherited colon cancer risk?
The bottom line
Hereditary or genetic — What's the difference?
How does family history affect my colon cancer risk?
Are there specific symptoms of colon cancer that confirm it has been inherited genetically?
Can someone get colon cancer with no family history?
What hereditary syndromes cause colon cancer?
What genes are linked to colon cancer?
What is genetic testing for colon cancer?
When should screening begin if someone in the family has been diagnosed with colon cancer?
Are certain types of colon cancer more likely to be hereditary?
Can lifestyle changes reduce inherited colon cancer risk?
The bottom line
Content
By Mayo Clinic Staff
If someone in your family has been diagnosed with colon cancer, it's natural to wonder if it could be passed down to you or a loved one.
Colon cancer, also called colorectal cancer, develops when cells in the colon or rectum begin to grow in ways they should not. These changes can lead to the formation of clumps of cells on the lining of the colon, called polyps. Over time, some polyps can turn into cancer.
Colon cancer is one of the most common cancers and is a leading cause of cancer-related death in the United States.
Even though colon cancer is common, most cases are not inherited. Understanding how genetics and family history affect risk can help guide screening and prevention.
