High-risk individuals 

If you have a high risk of developing colon or rectal cancer – as result of a familial history of cancer, a personal history of adenomas or even a personal history of cancer – there are several ways to try to prevent the disease.

Prevention might start with a genetic test. In most cases, the first step is to analyze a close relative’s tumor, or yours if you have/had colorectal cancer. The idea is to identify the mutation(s) behind the cancer. Next is a blood test looking for mutations associated with colorectal cancer. These analyses will help to understand better your risk of developing the disease, as well as that of your relatives.

The decision to go through this should always be considered together with doctors specialized in the evaluation and management of risk in cancer. 
These are professionals trained to explain the implications of the test, as well as support you through it.

As result of this process, you might need to start being tested more often by colonoscopy.

There is also the option of prophylactic surgery to reduce the future risk of cancer. This is particularly recommended for individuals with Familial Adenomatous Polyposis (FAP)-associated mutations, who develop multiple polyps as early as by their teenage years and have the disease, on average, by the age of 39.

Learn more about all of this in the page for  Familiar risk  in colorectal cancer.

Related links:
Early detection
Reduce the risk