My friend was told that he was at “high risk for colorectal cancer.” What does that mean?

If you have a close relative with colorectal cancer, especially at a younger age, or history of colon polyps (since colon cancer begins with certain types of polyps), your risk of developing colon cancer is higher and you may need a colonoscopy. Breast, uterine or ovarian cancer in your family may also increase your risk, as well as personal history of ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s colitis. Please call our office to speak with one of our board-certified gastroenterologists for more information.