Guide To Colon Cancer Causes And Risk Factors

Familial Adenomatous Polyposis

An individual affected by familial adenomatous polyposis may be at a higher risk of developing colon cancer than an individual who is not. Familial adenomatous polyposis is a genetic condition that causes an affected individual to develop hundreds of colon polyps. An adenomatous polyp is an abnormal growth or mass of healthy cells inside the intestinal tract. Familial adenomatous polyposis occurs in an individual when they have a mutation or alteration in the APC or MUTYH gene of their DNA that has been inherited from their parents. The adenomatous polyps that grow inside of the intestinal tract should be treated with a surgical procedure to completely remove the polyps to decrease the risk of colon cancer development. Once familial adenomatous polyposis is diagnosed and adenomatous polyps are discovered in the intestines, yearly colonoscopy screening is recommended until a colectomy can be performed.