Colorectal Cancer Risk Management & Treatment
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Colorectal Cancer Risk
What is colorectal cancer?
Colorectal cancer refers to cancer that begins in the colon or the rectum. Because these cancers are similar, they are often grouped together.
Who is at risk for colorectal cancer?
Everyone is at risk for colorectal cancer; the risk varies based on multiple factors including:
- age
- presence of an inherited mutation
- personal and family history of cancer
- other risk factors
Can colorectal cancer be hereditary?
About 10 percent of people with colorectal cancer have an inherited mutation linked to increased cancer risk. Inherited mutations in the genes below increase the risk for colorectal cancer and can cause cancer to run in families.
Other inherited mutations increase the risk of colorectal cancer. Most of these are rare.
What else affects colorectal cancer risk?
Factors such as diet, weight, exercise, smoking and alcohol consumption can affect colorectal cancer risk in the general population and in people at high risk for cancer. More research is needed to understand how much these factors influence risk in people with inherited mutations.
Risk Management and Treatment
Risk management
People at high risk for colorectal cancer have different options for managing cancer risk, including screening, medications to reduce risk and surgery to reduce risk. National expert guidelines for colorectal cancer risk management are based on your gene mutation and your level of risk. Click on the button below to learn more about these guidelines. Speak with your healthcare provider to decide on a risk-management plan and schedule that is right for you.
Treatment
People diagnosed with colorectal cancer may have different treatment options based on the results of genetic testing and biomarker testing. Click on the button below to learn more about these treatment options. Speak with your healthcare provider to decide on a treatment plan that is right for you.
Participate in Hereditary Cancer Research
Below are some of our featured research studies looking at new ways to screen for, prevent, intercept or treat colorectal cancer. To search for additional studies, visit our Search and Enroll Tool.
