genetics
http://www.fightcolorectalcancer.org/news/2008/01/colon_cancer_gene_traced_a_sin.php
Sorry, I don't know how to add a hyperlink to this site, so you'll have to cut and paste.
-Susan
Comments
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Hi Susan,
This is really fascinating. After my diagnosis and listing the family history, I was tested and found to be carrying a gene mutation which causes HNPCC (hereditary non-polyposis colon cancer). This mutation does not cause a proliferation of polyps; on the contrary, cancer seems to arise in the absence of polyps. At diagnosis I had no polyps at all. Subsequently, my 2 sisters have been tested and they, too, are carrying the gene. Since it is a 50/50 chance that it will be inherited, I thought at least one of us would escape, but unfortunately we are 3 for 3. If you have a proliferation of colon cancer in your family, it might be well worth being tested for the sake of children and relatives. My niece is now aware that she needs to be tested by 25 years old so she can start having colonoscopies every other year from then on. Testing is expensive, but with my onc's recommendation, my insurance company covered it.
Kirsten0 -
Hi Kirsten,kmygil said:Hi Susan,
This is really fascinating. After my diagnosis and listing the family history, I was tested and found to be carrying a gene mutation which causes HNPCC (hereditary non-polyposis colon cancer). This mutation does not cause a proliferation of polyps; on the contrary, cancer seems to arise in the absence of polyps. At diagnosis I had no polyps at all. Subsequently, my 2 sisters have been tested and they, too, are carrying the gene. Since it is a 50/50 chance that it will be inherited, I thought at least one of us would escape, but unfortunately we are 3 for 3. If you have a proliferation of colon cancer in your family, it might be well worth being tested for the sake of children and relatives. My niece is now aware that she needs to be tested by 25 years old so she can start having colonoscopies every other year from then on. Testing is expensive, but with my onc's recommendation, my insurance company covered it.
Kirsten
There is not a proliferation of colon cancer in my family, however, both of my parents have had adenomas (polyps) removed. They never developed cancer at a young age and neither have my aunts or uncles. That is why I wondered about this new gene that has been discovered. I was diagnosed at 31. I only had one polyp. It is interesting to know that HNPCC can develop without ANY polyps. I didn't even know that was possible!
-Susan0 -
Hi Susan,shmurciakova said:Hi Kirsten,
There is not a proliferation of colon cancer in my family, however, both of my parents have had adenomas (polyps) removed. They never developed cancer at a young age and neither have my aunts or uncles. That is why I wondered about this new gene that has been discovered. I was diagnosed at 31. I only had one polyp. It is interesting to know that HNPCC can develop without ANY polyps. I didn't even know that was possible!
-Susan
Yep, the two types of genetic colon cancers are FAP and HNPCC. The FAP is the one that causes the proliferation of polyps and subsequent cancer, and the HNPCC can arise from the mucosa without polyps. Kinda makes me want to go back in time and administer birth control on my ancestors....:)0 -
This gene is something new. Check it out. This one also does not cause a "proliferation" of polyps, just a few apparently...kmygil said:Hi Susan,
Yep, the two types of genetic colon cancers are FAP and HNPCC. The FAP is the one that causes the proliferation of polyps and subsequent cancer, and the HNPCC can arise from the mucosa without polyps. Kinda makes me want to go back in time and administer birth control on my ancestors....:)
Which is what makes me wonder because if I don't have HNPCC then why the heck did I come down with colon cancer (unless it is purely environmental).
Sigh,
Susan H.0 -
I had the genetic testing done to spare my children this terrible disease. I was told I do not have the gene --thank God, but that there was a fluke in my DNA that caused it. I did have a history of ulcerative proctitis in the same area that the cancer developed.shmurciakova said:This gene is something new. Check it out. This one also does not cause a "proliferation" of polyps, just a few apparently...
Which is what makes me wonder because if I don't have HNPCC then why the heck did I come down with colon cancer (unless it is purely environmental).
Sigh,
Susan H.
Maureen0
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