COLON CANCER IN FAMILY?!

I do not think you should worry about it at this time, you are most likely fine. Your uncle dying that young is very troublesome I am sure, because usually colon cancer takes 10-20 years from the beginning until it has mutated into something terminal. I think the most likely thing you will get any doctor to do for you is a Fecal Occult Blood Test, which will look for hidden blood in your stool. If they do not find anything, they will not do further testing, but with colon cancer you tend to bleed out slowly over the course of the disease so if you were free of blood, most likely you would not have anything going on.

I was told, if you were desperate, you could just swear up and down there was blood in your poop, but again that will just get the test run and not an actual colonoscopy least they find any blood.

I'm concerned as well. Both of my grandmothers died from colon cancer, strangely enough they had the same things going on, the first one at 53, and last year the other at 61. I wasn't even thinking about testing before 40 until my mother said something and made me panic. However, I also keep hearing your risk isn't dramatically increased unless the infected persons were your first degree relatives (parents, siblings, and children). Aunts/uncles and grandparents don't count as first degree. However, if your uncle and grandpa were on the same side of the family, it's probably worth looking into.

All you'll be avle to get out of them is that stool test, but it's worth a shot if you're absolutely paranoid. I sort of would like to have it done (though i did have it done a couple of years ago for another reason and there was nothing) but they know I'm in hypochondirac mode right now so it's not gonna fly.

Most likely you are ok :) Your doctor was right, the risk is much greater in your immediate family and not so much secondary relatives (you still have an increased risk, it's just not AS high). Since you have some family history, you'll probably be able to get a proper exam out of someone when you're 35-40. In the years until then, if you ever have suspicions, ask if they'll do blood test.

You are at higher risk and need early screening in the form of occult blood in stool and or colonoscopy.
Following are facts about colon cancer which make you at more risk-
1. Family history of colon cancer, especially in a close relative before the age of 55 or multiple relatives
2. Familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) carries a near 100% risk of developing colorectal cancer by the age of 40 if untreated
3. Hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer (HNPCC) or Lynch syndrome

WW

The chances are very unlikely.
* There are some cancers that are genetic (can be passed on from your parents).

* There is screening and testing you can do to identify if you may be suscpetible to a genetic cancer.

Here is a link to some more detailed info on hereditary cancer, that has been specifically designed for young ppl: http://www.nowwhat.org.au/info/factsheet…

Hope you find this post helpful

http://www.nowwhat.org.au/info/factsheet…