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Colorectal Cancer Risk Assessment

Cancer of the colon or rectum (colorectal cancer) usually develops slowly, over several years. Take this simple assessment to learn about your risks for this type of cancer.

About Cancer and GeneticsSee All
 Autosomal Dominant Inheritance in About Cancer and Genetics
A mutation is a change in a gene that prevents it from working correctly. We inherit mutations from our parents in specific ways, one of which is called autosomal dominant inheritance. ...more
 Autosomal Recessive Inheritance in About Cancer and Genetics
Detailed information on autosomal recessive genes....more
 Features of Inherited Cancers in About Cancer and Genetics
A family medical history helps to find out if relatives have an increased chance of developing specific types of cancer, how great the risk of cancer might be, and if genetic testing might be useful. ...more
 Genetic Services for Cancer Diagnosis: When, Where, How in About Cancer and Genetics
If you have a family history of multiple cases of the same or related types of cancer, you may need genetic counseling. Read on to learn where to find these services and how they can help you. ...more
 How Genes Cause Cancer in About Cancer and Genetics
Genes that have alterations, or mutations, can cause cells to become cancerous. Some mutations are inherited and others are "acquired," happening by chance over time. ...more
 Medical Genetics: Chromosome Studies in About Cancer and Genetics
When a chromosome is abnormal, it can cause health problems in the body. Tests called studies can look at chromosomes to see what type of problem a person has. ...more
 When to Seek Genetic Counseling in About Cancer and Genetics
Genetic counseling gives you information about health concerns that run in your family....more
 Medical Genetics-Multifactorial Inheritance in About Cancer and Genetics
Multifactorial inheritance is when more than 1 factor causes a trait or health problem, such as a birth defect or chronic illness. Genes can be 1 factor, but other things that aren't genes can play a part, too. ...more
 Autosomal Dominant Inheritance in About Cancer and Genetics
A mutation is a change in a gene that prevents it from working correctly. We inherit mutations from our parents in specific ways, one of which is called autosomal dominant inheritance. ...more
 Autosomal Recessive Inheritance in About Cancer and Genetics
Detailed information on autosomal recessive genes....more
 Features of Inherited Cancers in About Cancer and Genetics
A family medical history helps to find out if relatives have an increased chance of developing specific types of cancer, how great the risk of cancer might be, and if genetic testing might be useful. ...more
 Genetic Services for Cancer Diagnosis: When, Where, How in About Cancer and Genetics
If you have a family history of multiple cases of the same or related types of cancer, you may need genetic counseling. Read on to learn where to find these services and how they can help you. ...more
 How Genes Cause Cancer in About Cancer and Genetics
Genes that have alterations, or mutations, can cause cells to become cancerous. Some mutations are inherited and others are "acquired," happening by chance over time. ...more
 Medical Genetics: Chromosome Studies in About Cancer and Genetics
When a chromosome is abnormal, it can cause health problems in the body. Tests called studies can look at chromosomes to see what type of problem a person has. ...more
 When to Seek Genetic Counseling in About Cancer and Genetics
Genetic counseling gives you information about health concerns that run in your family....more
 Medical Genetics-Multifactorial Inheritance in About Cancer and Genetics
Multifactorial inheritance is when more than 1 factor causes a trait or health problem, such as a birth defect or chronic illness. Genes can be 1 factor, but other things that aren't genes can play a part, too. ...more
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Genetics: Breast and Ovarian CancerSee All
 Peutz-Jeghers Syndrome and Cancer in Genetics: Breast and Ovarian Cancer
People with this syndrome have dark moles around the mouth, nose, and eyes, as well as multiple polyps in the intestines. ...more
 Peutz-Jeghers Syndrome and Cancer in Genetics: Breast and Ovarian Cancer
People with this syndrome have dark moles around the mouth, nose, and eyes, as well as multiple polyps in the intestines. ...more
Genetics: Colorectal CancerSee All
 Hereditary Colorectal Cancer Syndromes: Familial Adenomatous Polyposis (FAP) in Genetics: Colorectal Cancer
FAP is a syndrome characterized by a large number of noncancer (benign) polyps in the colon and rectum. Without treatment, a person with FAP has a nearly 100% risk of colorectal cancer. ...more
 Hereditary Colorectal Cancer Syndromes- Less Common Syndromes in Genetics: Colorectal Cancer
Several rare syndromes raise the risk for colorectal cancer. These disorders include Turcot syndrome, Peutz-Jeghers . syndrome, juvenile polyposis coli, and MUTYH-associated polyposis. ...more
 Hereditary Colorectal Cancer Syndromes: Familial Adenomatous Polyposis (FAP) in Genetics: Colorectal Cancer
FAP is a syndrome characterized by a large number of noncancer (benign) polyps in the colon and rectum. Without treatment, a person with FAP has a nearly 100% risk of colorectal cancer. ...more
 Hereditary Colorectal Cancer Syndromes- Less Common Syndromes in Genetics: Colorectal Cancer
Several rare syndromes raise the risk for colorectal cancer. These disorders include Turcot syndrome, Peutz-Jeghers . syndrome, juvenile polyposis coli, and MUTYH-associated polyposis. ...more
Genetics: Other CancersSee All
 Thyroid Cancer: Treatment Questions in Genetics: Other Cancers
Here is a list of questions to ask your healthcare provider about treatment for thyroid cancer. ...more
 Von Hippel-Lindau Syndrome in Genetics: Other Cancers
VHL is a rare genetic disorder marked by an increased risk of developing benign tumors in the brain, spine, retina, and adrenal gland, and cancerous tumors in the kidney. ...more
 Thyroid Cancer: Treatment Questions in Genetics: Other Cancers
Here is a list of questions to ask your healthcare provider about treatment for thyroid cancer. ...more
 Von Hippel-Lindau Syndrome in Genetics: Other Cancers
VHL is a rare genetic disorder marked by an increased risk of developing benign tumors in the brain, spine, retina, and adrenal gland, and cancerous tumors in the kidney. ...more
Genetic TestingSee All
 Types of Genetic Testing in Genetic Testing
Chromosome studies may be performed when a child is born with multiple birth defects. They may also be done when people have certain types of leukemias and lymphomas, to look for specific chromosome rearrangements associated with these types of cancers. Direct DNA studies look directly at the gene in question for an error. ...more
 Genetic Testing for Cancer in Genetic Testing
Testing methods vary from lab to lab and may affect the likelihood that the lab will identify a mutation in the gene if 1 is present. Different lab studies have the ability to find different types of mutations. Accuracy will vary, depending on the type of genetic testing method performed. ...more
 Medical Genetics: Genetic Testing for Cancer Risk in Genetic Testing
Different kinds of tests show different levels of cancer risk. Some tests may even help people who don't have a personal or family history of cancer. You can be tested by working with your healthcare provider. ...more
 Medical Genetics: How Genetic Testing Is Used in Genetic Testing
Genetic testing can help find diseases that run in a family or don't yet have symptoms....more
 Types of Genetic Testing in Genetic Testing
Chromosome studies may be performed when a child is born with multiple birth defects. They may also be done when people have certain types of leukemias and lymphomas, to look for specific chromosome rearrangements associated with these types of cancers. Direct DNA studies look directly at the gene in question for an error. ...more
 Genetic Testing for Cancer in Genetic Testing
Testing methods vary from lab to lab and may affect the likelihood that the lab will identify a mutation in the gene if 1 is present. Different lab studies have the ability to find different types of mutations. Accuracy will vary, depending on the type of genetic testing method performed. ...more
 Medical Genetics: Genetic Testing for Cancer Risk in Genetic Testing
Different kinds of tests show different levels of cancer risk. Some tests may even help people who don't have a personal or family history of cancer. You can be tested by working with your healthcare provider. ...more
 Medical Genetics: How Genetic Testing Is Used in Genetic Testing
Genetic testing can help find diseases that run in a family or don't yet have symptoms....more