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A member asked:

If someone in my family has had colon cancer, will i definitely get the disease or am i just at higher risk?

4 doctors weighed in across 2 answers
Dr. Eric Kaplan answered

Specializes in Colon and Rectal Surgery

Maybe: The increased risk to you is usually in 1st degree relatives such as parents or siblings. Genetic-related colon cancers only account for about 20% of all colon cancers.

Dr Rosen and another doctor agreed

Answered 9/28/2016

6.4k views

Thank
Dr. Uma Swamy answered

No: It is unlikely you will develop colon cancer but there are many factors that play into this. Best advise would be to see a genetics counselor to individualize your risk.

Answered 12/8/2012

5.4k views

Thank

Related Questions

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Do young people (lower twenties) usually have a family history of colon cancers if they get diagnosed at that young of an age?

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How do you know if you have a family history of colon cancer if all the old folks get colonoscopies, get polyps removed, and say nothing about it?

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