If I have a family history of colon cancer, when should I begin screening?
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American Cancer Society answered:If you have a family history of adenomatous polyps or colorectal cancer, you should talk with your doctor about the possible need to begin screening before age 50. You might start at age 40, or 10 years before the youngest case in your immediate family, whichever is earlier.
If you have had adenomatous polyps or colorectal cancer, it's important to tell your close relatives so that they can pass along that information to their doctors and start screening at the right age.
If you have a family history of adenomatous polyps or colorectal cancer, you should talk with your doctor about the possible need to begin screening before age 50. You might start at age 40, or 10 years before the youngest case in your immediate... More -
Dr. Laura Bianchi of NorthShore University HealthSystem answered:A family history of colon cancer or colon polyps can be a reason to start screening earlier. The recommendation about the age to begin will vary based on how closely the person with colon cancer is related to you and at what age he or she was diagnosed with either colon cancer or polyps. For instance, if you have a mother who was diagnosed with colon cancer at age 50, then you should start screening at age 40.
A family history of colon cancer or colon polyps can be a reason to start screening earlier. The recommendation about the age to begin will vary based on how closely the person with colon cancer is related to you and at what age he or she... More -
Carrie Bilicki of Aurora Health Care answered:Recommendations for screening depend on several factors, how many family members, degree of relation, age of diagnosis, the presence of additional cancers or multiple polyps, personal history of polyps or inflammatory bowel disease, and if any previous genetic testing had been performed in the family. By taking into account family history along with other personal risk factors, your physician will make a recommendation for timing and frequency of screening. As part of your physician recommendations, a referral to a genetic counselor for hereditary risk assessment and possible genetic testing may be considered.
Recommendations for screening depend on several factors, how many family members, degree of relation, age of diagnosis, the presence of additional cancers or multiple polyps, personal history of polyps or inflammatory bowel disease, and if any... More -
If you have a first-degree relative (sister, brother or parent) with colon cancer, you should start screening with a colonoscopy 10 years before the age at which your youngest relative was diagnosed, or at 40 years of age, whichever is the earlier age. For example, if your father was diagnosed with colon cancer at age 48, it would be recommended that you start screening with a colonoscopy at age 38. However, if you also had a brother who was diagnosed with colon cancer at 41 years old, then your screening should begin at 31 years of age.If you have a first-degree relative (sister, brother or parent) with colon cancer, you should start screening with a colonoscopy 10 years before the age at which your youngest relative was diagnosed, or at 40 years of age, whichever is the earlier... More
