Our Conversations Webinar Series is an opportunity to link national experts in colorectal cancer and other related fields to you, right in the comfort of your own home. The programs are designed to empower you to play a leading role in you healthcare management.
On August 19, we hosted “It Runs in the Family: Colon Cancer & Genetics” where we discussed everything from what it means to have a cancer family history to the importance of talking with your healthcare provider.
Couldn’t make the webinar? No problem—we have the top 4 takeaways and the replay.
- Gene mutations can lead to an increased chance for developing cancer—about 5 to 10 percent of colon cancers are caused by genetic mutations.
- Certain “red flags” are used to identify individuals and families who should have genetic testing. These red flags include people with three or more relatives who’ve had a Lynch Syndrome cancer and patients with an abnormal MSI/IHC tumor test result.
- Genetic testing can help identify family members at risk for cancer; single syndrome risk assessment is the traditional method of identifying and testing at-risk families.
- There has been a recent shift toward a hereditary cancer panel approach to genetic testing. Why? Because there is overlap in the cancers seen in these syndromes. Hereditary cancer panel tests can identify more at-risk people and relieve the burden of picking the “right” test.
Special thanks to Myriad for sponsoring this webinar.
Be sure to download the slides. Don’t forget, the Colon Cancer Alliance serves as a source of information about colon health. If you have additional questions about colon cancer screening or are in need of support, please contact our free Helpline at (877) 422-2030. We’re here to help.