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While diet and lifestyle may contribute to the development of colorectal cancer in those aged 50 and above, genetics may play a bigger role in younger patients. An individual with at least one of the following traits should consider regular endoscopic evaluation and, possibly, genetic screening:

• Family history: three or more colorectal cancers affecting two or more generations; multiple relatives with cancers in other organs
• Personal/family history: colorectal cancer or polyps diagnosed before 50 years old
• Family history: hereditary conditions such as Familial Adenomatous Polyposis (FAP), Lynch Syndrome, PuertzJegher’s Syndrome (PJS), Cowden’s Syndrome
• Multiple polyps in the colon, rectum or the rest of the gastrointestinal tract
• Your managing physician believes there is a possible hereditary component to your colorectal cancer

Warning Signs

Early cancers have no symptoms: by the time patients with colorectal cancer present with symptoms, most of them would be in the more advanced stages (stages 3 or 4) already. Some symptoms include:

• Change in bowel patterns
• Blood or mucus in stools
• Unexplained and persistent abdominal pain or distension/bloating
• Unexplained loss of weight and appetite

Screening Saves Lives

Screening for colorectal cancer saves lives. In the US and northern Europe, the fall in colorectal cancer mortality has been attributed to screening, early detection and prevention — by removing polyps before they turn cancerous. Generally, a person should undergo colonoscopy when he hits 50 years of age if he has no bowel symptoms. If he has any bowel symptoms at anearlier age, he should discuss with his doctor about undergoing colonoscopy. In individuals with a strong family history, defined as multiple first-degree relatives with colorectal cancer or polyps, colonoscopy should start at 40 years old or 10 years younger than the youngest diagnosed individual in the family, whichever is earlier.